Sign-up for high tunnel project funding ends Jan. 15

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is offering a new pilot project under the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative for growers to establish high tunnels (hoop houses) to increase the availability of locally-grown produce in a conservation-friendly way. A seasonal high tunnel is a greenhouse-like structure, at least 6 ft. in height, which modifies the climate inside to create more favorable growing conditions for vegetable and other specialty crops grown in the natural soil beneath it.
This pilot program, which will be a 3-year study, will test the potential conservation benefits of growing crops under these structures. Participating growers can receive funding for 1 high tunnel. High tunnels in the study can cover as much as 5% of 1 acre or approximately a 30- by 72-ft. structure.
Participating states and territories are Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Pacific Islands, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Growers interested in participating in the program should call or visit the NRCS office at a local USDA service center by Jan. 15. Service center locations are also listed in the phone book under Federal Government, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.