A high tunnel is a poly-covered frame structure that provides climate control and protects crops from rainfall and winds, allowing farmers to extend the growing season earlier and later into the year. High tunnels offer advantages like year-round production, higher quality crops, fewer pests and diseases, less weeds, and consistent cash flow. Farmers can use high tunnels to start selling crops earlier at farmers markets or to continue selling into the winter. There are different options for high tunnel structures including low-cost PVC, scrap lumber, bent steel, and movable designs.

1. What is a high tunnel & Why grow in them?

3. High Tunnels give us Some climate control for season extension & Exclude rainfall & winds

4. Weather Weirding Rainfall Totals 2011 February 7.42 inches March 4.65 inches April 9.77 inches May 6.78 inches 4 Month total 28.62 inches

5. So what are the advantages of growing in high tunnels Year-round production Command a premium price Capture and retain a market Exceptional quality fruits and vegetables Fewer insect issues Less foliar disease Year-round cash flow Less weed pressure * Fantastic Opportunity!!!

7. Courtesy: M. Bomford, KSU

8. What do you want from your high tunnel? Farmers Market – start the season with a large selection and then you want the earliest tomatoes & cut flowers

9. Or perhaps expand your sales into the winter

10. High Tunnel Alternative Structures PVC Structure

11. Low cost, temporary pvc – picture Tim Coolong, U Kentucky

12. High tunnel made of scrap lumber

13. Bend your own steel

14. Haygroves

15. Haygrove with a summer tomato crop

16. Movable High Tunnel

18. High tunnel complex covering 925 acres in Mexico

19. So let’s explore them in detail!