High Tunnel Tomato Harvest by Our_Local_Food_KRV

High Tunnels, or “hoop houses,” are simple, cost-effective, unheated greenhouses that typically utilize passive ventilation for air exchange and cooling and an irrigation system for crop production. These structures are widely useful. They can help extend the growing season for many crops, limit garden pests, and offer protection from extreme weather and rainfall (so irrigation can be more precisely controlled by the grower). Many operations overwinter laying hens in them!

Two great FREE High Tunnel Workshops are being offered in Lawrence through the Kansas Rural Center and K-State Research and Extension. Read below for details, and then register online by March 10, 2012, at Kansasruralcenter.org/calendar, to participate in one or both!

High Tunnel Tour, Lecture, and Panel Discussion

Tuesday, March 13 – 10:00am to 4:00pm

See first-hand, high tunnel production in action during a farmer-lead tour of high tunnels. Then, learn methods of high tunnel construction, crop production, management, and marketing with a great group of amazing, experienced presenters.

Event Schedule:

10:00 am — Noon: Tour High Tunnels at Moon on the Meadow Farm in Lawrence

Location: 1515 E. 11th Street, Lawrence, Kansas

Moon on the Meadow Farm, owned and operated by Jill Elmers, is a Certified Organic vegetable, herb, and small fruit grower utilizing 4000 square feet of high tunnels.

Noon — 1: 00 pm: Lunch on your own

1:00 pm — 2:00 pm: High Tunnel Construction, Production, & Management Presentation

Location: Douglas County K-State Extension Office: Dreher Building, North Room, 2110 Harper Street, Lawrence, Kansas

Cary Rivard, K-State Extension Vegetable and Fruit Specialist, will lead a presentation highlighting key topics on high tunnel construction, crop production, and management.

2:00 pm — 4:00 pm: Growers Panel Offers Experience and Answers Questions on High Tunnel Production and Marketing High Tunnel Crops in Our Region

Location: Douglas County K-State Extension Office: Dreher Building, North Room, 2110 Harper Street, Lawrence, Kansas

Participating, Experienced High Tunnel Growers:

Dan Nagengast – Owner and operator of Wild Onion Farm and Seeds from Italy (Lawrence, KS). Worked 20 years as Executive Director of the Kansas Rural Center.

Stephanie Thomas – Spring Creek Farm (Baldwin City, KS)

Dan & Mary Howell – Howell Farm (Frankfort, KS)

Register online by March 10, 2012 at Kansasruralcenter.org/calendar

For questions contact Our Local Food coordinator Natalie Fullerton at 402-310-0177, or at southcentral.olf@gmail.com.

Hands-on Workshop: Learn how to build a high tunnel!

Saturday, March 24 – 9:00am to 5:00pm

From the ground up, experience techniques used to erect a 20’ x 96’ Zimmerman Hoop House on site at The Red Tractor Farm, a diverse vegetable, goat meat, and egg farm in Lawrence, KS. Also, enjoy an on-farm potluck lunch. Along with items Jen and Jessica will provide, please feel free to bring a dish with serving utensils to share for lunch.

Location: 974 E. 850 Rd., Lawrence, KS

Lead Construction Foreman: Cary Rivard – K-State Extension Vegetable & Fruit Crop Specialist

Speaker: Dan Nagengast – Owner and operator of Wild Onion Farm and Seeds from Italy (Lawrence, KS). Worked 20 years as Executive Director of the Kansas Rural Center.

Hosted by: Jen Humphrey and Jessica Pierson, Red Tractor Farm owners and operators

Jessica Pierson and Jen Humphrey have been farming since 2008 on land that has been in Jessica's family for four generations. They raise Boer meat goats, laying hens and about 1.5 acres of vegetables. Red Tractor Farm products are sold at the Lawrence Farmers Market, to a local subscription program and to area restaurants. The farm, which is rural Douglas County, is under transition to organic practices. Learn more at http://theredtractorfarm.com.

Register online by March 10, 2012 at Kansasruralcenter.org/calendar

For questions contact Our Local Food coordinator Natalie Fullerton at 402-310-0177, or at southcentral.olf@gmail.com.