March 13, 2008

Hoophouses and high tunnels focus of videoconference

High tunnels and hoophouses are unheated, plastic covered, relatively inexpensive structures that function as a greenhouse.

"We are seeing more high tunnels go up in Indiana, as well as an increased interest from producers," said Jerry Nelson, a Purdue University New Ventures Team Extension educator and co-coordinator. "The increased interest is due to the market demand growers are seeing from buyers, and the high tunnels will help extend the growing season.

"Farmers can help make the farm sustainable and improve their bottom line with proper use of high tunnel systems."

The IP-videoconference is free and can be viewed at multiple Indiana locations or those with a high-speed Internet connection can view it on their home computer at mms://video.dis.purdue.edu/agcomm. The videoconference will be shown at the Purdue Extension offices in Hendricks, LaGrange, Monroe and Pulaski counties. It also will be viewable on Purdue's West Lafayette campus in Pfendler Hall, Room 241. The program will be archived for later viewing at https://tristateorganic.info.

Speakers and topics include:

* Matt Kleinhenz, Ohio State University Extension vegetable crop specialist, will give an introduction to high tunnel systems and the opportunities they provide and considerations for implementing and getting a hoophouse certified for organic production.

* Adam Montri, hoophouse project manager for the Michigan State University Food and Farming System, will discuss the different types of hoophouses and their characteristics, as well as purchasing considerations and installation for maximum efficiency.

* Susan Houghton, co-manager of The Giving Tree Organic Farm in Michigan, will highlight how her farm maximizes production to meet the demand of various markets that depend on food grown in hoophouses.

* Mike Roney, co-owner of Tuttle Orchard in Indiana, will share how he secured his market with a cafeteria in Indiana and uses high tunnels to maximize production.

Time will be allotted for questions and answers.

The videoconference is sponsored by North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research Education, University of Illinois Extension, Purdue Extension, Ohio State University Extension and Michigan State University Extension.

For questions and more information, contact Nelson at (812) 886-9582, jnelson@purdue.edu.

Writer: Julie Douglas, (765) 496-1050, douglajk@purdue.edu

Source: Jerry Nelson, (812) 886-9582, jnelson@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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