From Chris Wien:
The Federal government is on the high tunnel bandwagon. The USDA, through its Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), is offering assistance to farmers who want to erect high tunnels. (See news release below.) Get details from your local NRCS office.
High tunnel visibility is also being enhanced by the following video, showing erection of salamanders in the White House garden.
Full news release:
3-Year Project To Verify Effectiveness Of High Tunnels In Natural Resource
Conservation
WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2009 Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen
Merrigan today announced a new pilot project under the ‘Know Your
Farmer, Know Your Food’ initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels
also known as hoop houses to increase the availability of locally
grown produce in a conservation-friendly way. Merrigan and other Obama
administration officials highlighted opportunities available for
producers in a video posted on USDA’s YouTube channel at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07vtMJgp0no, which shows high tunnels
recently installed in the White House garden.
“There is great potential for high tunnels to expand the availability of
healthy, locally-grown crops – a win for producers and consumers,” said
Merrigan. “This pilot project is going to give us real-world information
that farmers all over the country can use to decide if they want to add
high tunnels to their operations. We know that these fixtures can help
producers extend their growing season and hopefully add to their bottom
line.”
The 3-year, 38-state study will verify if high tunnels are effective in
reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending
the growing season, increasing yields, and providing other benefits to
growers.
Made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with a layer of plastic
sheeting, high tunnels are easy to build, maintain and move. High
tunnels are used year-round in parts of the country, providing steady
incomes to farmers a significant advantage to owners of small farms,
limited-resource farmers and organic producers.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide
financial assistance for the project through the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP), the EQIP Organic Initiative, and the
Agricultural Management Assistance program. NRCS will fund one high
tunnel per farm. High tunnels in the study can cover as much as 5
percent of 1 acre.
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.
To sign up or learn more about EQIP assistance for high tunnel projects,
contact a local NRCS office.
Hey guys oops these are low tunnels.