High tunnel production has grown considerably in Kentucky since 2012. However, many growers still struggle with production challenges that are more commonly observed in high tunnel systems, such as soil salinity, appropriate fertilizer use, and season extension. Because high tunnels are still relatively new, many Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents do not have the experience or information to assist high tunnel growers. As of 2019, there were estimated to be over 1,000 high tunnels in Kentucky. High tunnels are primarily use for specialty crop production, including fruit and vegetables, and have been shown to increase quality and yield. Due to the increased popularity of high tunnel production, Kentucky county Ag and Natural Resources (ANR) and Horticulture Extension agents regularly assist growers with questions about all aspects of high tunnels, including construction and site selection. Thus, as a way to train agents on these topics so that they are better prepared to assist stakeholders, the High Tunnel Construction In-Service Training was developed.      

As a way to train agents on all aspects of the high tunnel system, the Experiential High Tunnel Training for Cooperative Extension Service Agents in Kentucky was established through the support of Southern SARE professional development grant. The first workshop in the series trained agents on construction and site selection of high tunnels. The series of high tunnel-focused workshops will be provided for a total of 2 years, with the goal of training and educating as many agents as possible. CES agents learned how to select an appropriate site for a high tunnel, how to orient the tunnel, the different components of a high tunnel and what those components are used for, how to make adjustments to tunnels depending on different needs, and how to construct a tunnel. There were two identical trainings with different agents participating. The tunnels that the agents constructed will serve as a learning lab for the duration of the training series. 

Twelve agents participated in the training. A pre- and post-survey found increases in agents’ level of confidence and/or knowledge in the following areas:

• advising growers on the challenges and considerations of high tunnels (73%), 
• advising growers on building a high tunnel (135%), 
• assisting with construction of a high tunnel (127%), 
• leading the construction of a high tunnel (124%), 
• reasons for using a high tunnel (30%), 
• proper high tunnel site selection (53%), 
• components of a high tunnel (81%), 
• purpose of the different components of a high tunnel (72%), 
• challenges and considerations a grower should know about before owning a high tunnel (56%). 

Because of the training, agents indicated an intent to build a high tunnel for a community garden and an elementary school, encourage more growers to use high tunnels, and hold their own trainings for people interested in having a high tunnel. When asked what the most valuable thing they learned from the training, many agents said that the hands-on component of the training was the most useful. Other agents said that learning about the variability in selecting materials and the style of structure was the most valuable. Overall, the program was well received with an agent stating, “LOVED the workshop! Anything hands-on like this helps me learn and understand so much better than any PowerPoint presentation.” Several agents stated that it was the best workshop they had ever attended. The high tunnel construction workshop is part of a series of workshops, which will focus on providing hands-on training to Kentucky county agents in all aspects of the high tunnel system over the next two years.