2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Hoophouses for Health brings together farmers, vulnerable families, schools and early childcare facilities to support the infrastructure for year-round farming in Michigan and provides healthy foods for families and students. This innovative partnership between the Michigan State University Department of Horticulture, the Michigan Farmers Market Association, and the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, provides funding of up to $15,000 to farmers for hoophouses along their associated infrastructure and additional input needs. This 0% interest funding over five years is “repaid” in produce and other farm products at both participating farmers markets and schools with 50% or greater free or reduced lunch programs. The Farmer Production team provides direct technical assistance for farmers in the program. In an effort to meet demand and provide additional technical assistance to farmers external to the program three webinars, multiple “how-to” construction and production videos, and the opportunity to participate in a hoophouse/high tunnel build each year are provided. In addition to above opportunities, a farmer production and pricing guide that includes both direct market and school food service purchase price ranges that have been shared by farmers in the program is available to farmers throughout the county. With almost $900,000 distributed to farmers over five years this program allows the same funds to work twice – once for farmers and again for vulnerable families and schools to purchase healthy foods. This oral presentation will focus on the technical assistance tools provided to farmers to improve their production, marketing and overall profitability including webinars, “how-to” videos, one-on-one technical assistance, hands-on hoophouse builds, and a production and pricing guide developed by and for farmers.