The High Tunnel Success and Support to Manage the Risk of Adopting a New Technology and Production System Project, led by staff at Renewing the Countryside with support from U of MN Extension and Central Lakes College Farm Business Management addressed the production risks of adopting new technology. Our focus
is on beginning,
immigrant and socially disadvantaged (SD) farmers in Minnesota with no prior experience
using high tunnels who are eligible to receive cost-share support from Natural Resources
Conservation Service to purchase a high tunnel. These are non-permanent
structures that,
at their simplest, include a frame covered in plastic. When properly built and
managed, high tunnels
reduce production risks associated weather and environment. They lengthen the
growing season
and reduce loss, leading to higher yields and revenue.
199 farmers and their supporters improved their understanding of how to get started in successful high
tunnel production
through an online “Getting Started in High Tunnel Production” short course held in partnership with U of M Extension. Farmers
and their supporters also improved their understanding of how to build a high tunnel in a hands-on construction
workshop. Three workshops with 10+ people participating in each were held, for a total
of 49 builders, 12 of whom were farmers. In addition, 3 limited-resource farmers who hosted the construction workshops developed the on-farm infrastructure to be able to begin high tunnel production.