Conservation program supports high tunnels
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 05/19/2010 3:36 PM
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CLEARBROOK, Minn.— Nearly 100 Minnesota producers will receive financial support to put up seasonal high tunnels on their farms this year as part of an environment conservation program.
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Minnesota allowed funding for the first time in 2010 for high tunnels. Financial support was made available on a pilot basis as part of its Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
But EQIP funds can only be used to address conservation concerns, not production practices. Questions have been raised about how high tunnels address conservation.
"We're not really sure, but we can say 'yes, this will help address some resource concerns that might be on a farm'," said Robin Martinek, state agronomist for NRCS.
An NRCS fact sheet states high tunnels may provide natural resource benefits by improving plant quality, soil quality and water quality by reducing movement of nutrients and pesticides.
"We're going to collect information for this fall and the next couple of years of people who got funded, asking if they reduced nutrients or chemicals they had to use, did they manage water better, and we're going to find out if there are benefits to soil or water or air by using these tunnels," said Martinek. "That will help us determine if we think it's worthwhile to continue paying for this with EQIP dollars."
Seasonal high tunnels are temporary, plastic structures used to extend the growing season. Fruits and vegetables start growing four to six weeks earlier in the spring and continue two to five weeks longer in the fall inside them. They provide protection from weather that could harm crops. It also creates a controlled climate, which may limit pest problems or the chance of disease.
The federal agencywanted to support high tunnels to back local food systems, a national priority for the USDA, said Martinek. The provision also allows them to work with smaller farms than they have in the past.
Approximately 240 applications were submitted and 98 contracts were funded, although that number may change slightly as contracts are finalized. Originally $250,000 was set aside from the state's EQIP 2010 budget of $22.2 million. Interest in the program brought the total cost up to approximately $437,000.
Producers receive reimbursement for putting uphigh tunnels. The cost-share is $1.89 per square foot, up to 2,178 square feet under the tunnel. Some producers, such as beginning farmers, could receive $2.26 per square foot.
Mike Kerr, of Kerr Family Farm in Clearbrook, was in the process of putting up his high tunnel last week. His family sells fruits, vegetables, honey and goat's milk soap to the Bemidji area farmer's market and local restaurants. This will be his second high tunnel, and it will be larger than his first.
Many have asked him how the state benefits by funding high tunnels. He believes the program will support local food and local economies statewide.
"The way that I view it is those people that are in charge of that money see that it's a really big deal to have local produce in Minnesota and to inspire people to think and act outside the box," Kerr said.
Using the high tunnel will give him a higher, better yield on the tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and eggplant he plans to grow in it, he said.
"It's just a great benefit to us and the people in our locality. We're well received with produce that comes out, it's very attractive," he said.
Producers must grow crops directly in the ground inside their high tunnels. No electricity, heating or mechanical ventilation systems are allowed. The structures must be removed after growing seasons and be maintained for at least four years.
Interest in high tunnel production has picked up, especially in the last three years, said Terry Nennich, a University of Minnesota Extension professor who helps people learn how to use them. They are most popular in the northern part of the state.