This document summarizes the results of a survey assessing the economic impact of a decade of high tunnel workshops organized by Extension services across the Great Plains. The survey found that 57% of workshop attendees went on to purchase their first or another high tunnel. On average, high tunnels were 2435 square feet and cost $6000 to build. 45% of respondents reported that high tunnels were more profitable than typical farm investments. The average gross sales per 1000 square feet was $2640, while annual input costs averaged 40% of gross sales. The workshops have helped many farmers adopt high tunnel production and increased profitability in the region.

1. The Impact of a Decade of High Tunnel Workshops
by Extension in the Great Plains
Quinn*, J.T.1, Fowler, T.B.2, Hudson, P.A.3
1. Regional Horticulture Specialist (Central), University of Missouri Extension, Jefferson City, MO, 65101
2. Regional Horticulture Specialist (Northwest), University of Missouri Extension, St. Joseph, MO, 64507
3. Database Programmer and Analyst, University of Missouri Extension, Columbia, MO, 65211
Abstract
Assessing economic impact of Midwest and Great Plains horticulture programs is difficult, especially compared to dominant agriculture industries like livestock and row crops. The long term success of a workshop
focused on horticulture crops grown in high tunnels provided an evaluation opportunity. Started in 2003, this workshop has consistently drawn over 100, and occurs with the Great Plains Growers Conference. This
conference is organized by Extension of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota and held annually in early January at St. Joseph, MO. Its first year was 1996 and it now attracts about 700. The survey
focused on two areas, estimating the investment, revenue and profitability associated with high tunnels, followed by assessing the usefulness of the production, business, and marketing information provided. It was 4
pages and 21 questions. The survey pool of farms was less than expected. Farms were often represented by more than one family member and many individuals attended multiple years. The final mailing was to 491
operations, as follows by state- IA (52), KS (136), MO (233), NE (60, and SD (10). Results from 83 responses were as follows- 57% of workshop attendees went on to purchase their first or another high tunnel, the
average size was 2435 square feet at an average cost of $6000, 45% reported high tunnels were more profitable than their typical farm investment, the average gross sales per 1,000 square foot was $2640, and
annual input cost divided by gross sales was 40%.
Survey Results Discussion
The survey consisted of 22 questions. Presented below as a highlight are the responses from ten, including any with an economic component.
The response rate of 17% was less than hoped
for, but acceptable for a mail survey. When
1) Please check the state your farm is in- 8) Concerning the decision you made to purchase a high tunnel-.
Missouri compared to ‘all other states’ the
differences were minor and statistically significant
for just question 19 (not presented).
While valuable feedback in several areas was
derived for the conference organizers, of key
interest was the economic impact this workshop
12) Concerning production issues like soil fertility or environmental might be having on participant’s farming
control, select the closest statement below regarding your decision- operations. Relative to the typical expense of
2) Please check the year or years you attended in . many agricultural equipment, high tunnels are not
(as best can be remembered) very costly ($6000- see question 7). The most
typical size high tunnel is 3,000 sq feet, but many
growers start with smaller structures; as indicated
by the response to question 6. An assessment of
profitability is the percentage of gross sales
comprised by annual input costs (hired labor,
seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, packaging supplies,
14) Using your best estimate, what is your typical annual gross sales per 1,000 supplemental heating fuel). Gross sales averaged
sq foot (all crops combined if multiple crops in a year)? $2640, of which annual inputs were $1031, or
40%. Question 17 attempted to gauge how the
producers felt about the profitability of their high
tunnel respective to other farm investments.
4) After attending your first workshop which of the following is true?-
Producers view high tunnels as performing well.
The percentages from the 83 responses were
extrapolated onto the entire survey group to
estimate the economic impact this workshop has
had over the Great Plains region. A statement
was then developed to promote the workshop
15) Using your best estimate, what is your typical annual input costs per 1,000 and Extension’s role.
6) How large is the high tunnel? sq foot (all crops combined if multiple crops in a year)?
“ By supporting Extension, you are assisting
agricultural producers with a new production
system. Sixty percent of the 490 growers
attending the Great Plains Growers Conference’s
high tunnel workshop over the past 10 years
found that it helped them to make the decision to
invest in this production system. For those the
7) Using your best estimate, what was your total investment in purchasing your average investment has been $6,000 per farm for
high tunnel (cost of high tunnel, additional construction materials, any equipment 17) Considering other farm investments you have made select an option below. a total investment in the 5 state region of $1.6
rental & any hired labor cost)? million over 10 years. Seventy percent report
their investment has performed as well or
superior to other typical farm investments, and
contributed positively to their overall farm
profitability. Over 75% reported their attendance
assisted them in growing their high tunnel crops”