High tunnels are primarily use for specialty crop production, including fruit and vegetables, and have been shown to increase quality and yield. There are over 1,000 high tunnels in Kentucky. However, many growers still struggle with production challenges that are unique to high tunnel systems. This includes integrated pest management (IPM) methods. High tunnels are still relatively new and many less experienced growers acquire a high tunnel. Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents do not have the experience or information to assist high tunnel growers because they are unfamiliar with the production system. The High Tunnel IPM Agent Training was developed to train agents on methods including sanitation, disease management, pest scouting, pesticide safety, weed management, and identification of herbicide damage. These topics were chosen based off of questions that agents regularly receive from growers.

The High Tunnel IPM Agent Training is the fourth training in a series of trainings that is part of a grant led by Extension Vegetable Specialist Rachel Rudolph. The grant is titled, Experiential High Tunnel Training for Cooperative Extension Service Agents in Kentucky and is funded by Southern SARE. 

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

1. Reasons for using different sprayers and types of nozzles for pesticide applications (45%)
2. The different mechanical weed management methods and equipment (48%)
3. How to properly scout for insect pests (45%)
4. How to evaluate a site for disease (38%)
5. PPE, what it means, its importance, and where to find that information for each pesticide (19%)
6. REI, what it means, why it's important, and where to find REI information (50%)
7. Properly utilizing biocontrol methods and different species - how, what, when (55%)
8. Calculating pesticides for a particular area, even one as small as a high tunnel (46%)
9. Calibrating equipment for pesticide applications (58%)
10. Sanitation and disinfecting tools and materials - the importance of it and how to properly do it (27%)

Because of the training, agents indicated more confidence in their ability to assist high tunnel growers with their questions related to IPM. When agents are better able to assist growers with prevention of management issues through the utilization of IPM, growers can be more successful and profitable by increasing marketable yields and preventing crop loss.