An Overview of High Tunnel Production in the United States CEU Approved

Objective(s):
The objective of this workshop is to provide an overview of high tunnel specialty crop production across diverse geographical regions of the U.S. The workshop will identify production problems and opportunities that are common among high tunnel specialty crop producers. Given that ASHS will be in Washington, D.C. this gives us a unique opportunity to invite USDA policy personnel who are involved in the Seasonal High Tunnel Program to the workshop. The information presented in the workshop will be an update for commercial horticulturists and USDA personnel. The workshop will include and opportunity for discussion at the end of the presentations and will be a forum for establishing collaborative research and outreach projects.

The objectives of this workshop are to present an overview of high tunnel specialty crop production and identify areas which require further research and education. High tunnels are a dynamic season extension technology that is being rapidly adopted by specialty crop growers across the U.S. The USDA-NRCS Season Extension Program has facilitated high tunnel production across the U.S. However, there is a need to identify and solve problems which may be limiting the maximum productivity and efficiency of high tunnels in the U.S. In addition to problem solving by extension professionals, there is a need for extension horticulturists to successfully connect with high tunnel producers. This workshop will attempt to identify specific areas of high tunnel integrated crop production which require focus from extension and research horticulturists. Successful outreach models for training new high tunnel producers will be discussed. Each presenter in this workshop will pose and answer specific questions related to high tunnel production in their region of the U.S. The moderator will channel the expertise and feedback of the audience to address each topic or question. Specific questions which will engage the workshop audience include:

What is the relationship between Extension and NRCS in individual states with respect to training new high tunnel producers?

What are some successful outreach methods for training high tunnel producers?

Are high tunnel specialty crop producers organized into grower organizations?

Please identify the production issues which may be limiting the efficiency of high tunnels in your region.

Are high tunnels being used for resource conservation (nutrient, water, soil)?

How have irrigation and nutrient management recommendations been made to high tunnel producers?

What are the dominant crop choices for high tunnels in each region and how do growers select crops?

What are publication and training gaps for high tunnel producers in each region

What are some emerging technologies being used for high tunnel crop production in each region (lighting, heating, etc.)?

How have high tunnel designs been modified for the climate in each region?

Friday, August 3, 2018: 1:45 PM

Jefferson West (Washington Hilton)

Coordinator:

Lewis Jett

Moderator:

Lewis Jett

1:45 PM

High Tunnels in the Northwest U.S.
Carol A. Miles, Washington State University, NWREC; Heather Stoven, Oregon State University; Rob Brown, Flattop Farm

Audio File Recorded Presentation

2:00 PM

High Tunnel Production in the Mid-Atlantic U.S.
Lewis Jett, West Virginia University

Audio File Recorded Presentation

2:15 PM

High Tunnel Production in the Deep South U.S.
Bill Evans, Up In Farms Food Hub

Audio File Recorded Presentation

2:30 PM

High Tunnel Production in the Intermountain West U.S.
Karen Panter, University of Wyoming

Audio File Recorded Presentation

2:45 PM

High Tunnel Production in New England U.S.
R Grube Sideman, University of New Hampshire