NCAT agriculture specialists Tammy Hinman Andy...

by NCAT agriculture specialists Tammy Hinman and Andy Pressman

The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)

3 Extend the growing season on either side

3 More protective environmentfrost, temperature fluctuations, precipitation, wind or excess moisture that delays planting or cultivation

3 Reduce risk and enhance quality of the harvest

3 Typically higher yield than field grown

Benef its of high tunnels


Benef its, continued

Photo courtesy of Martin and Christa Stosiek, Markristo Farm, Hillsdale, NY


3 Low technology

3 Low cost

3 Increase cash flow

Hoop houses

Photo courtesy of SPIN Farming


Low tunnel High tunnel

Photo courtesy of SPIN Farming Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT

Types of hoop houses


Low tunnels

Negatives (-):Labor intensiveLimits harvests

Photo courtesy of www.plasticulture.orgPhoto courtesy of SPIN Farming

Positives (+):InexpensiveEasy to installEasy to change covers


High tunnels

Solo bay Multi bay

Photo by Rex Dufour, NCAT Photo courtesy of Alex Hitt


High tunnel shapes

Photo by Rex Dufour, NCATPhoto courtesy of Ledgewood Farm

Gothic vs. Quonset


Lengths and widths

Photos by Andy Pressman, NCAT


3 10’ x 90’ = 200’ lineal perimeter and 900 square foot area

3 30’ x 70’ = 200’ lineal perimeter and 2,100 square foot area

Source: Blomgren and Tracy Frisch. 2007. High Tunnels. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Narrow tunnel heat loss


Moveable hoop houses

Photo courtesy of Chef’s Garden


Season extensions

Photo courtesy of Alex HittPhoto courtesy of Ledgewood Farm


Hoop house uses - crops

Photo courtesy of www.plasticulture.org Photo courtesy of www.haygrove.co.uk


Why not livestock?

Photo courtesy of www.haygrove.co.ukPhoto courtesy of www.haygrove.co.uk


Site selection


Photo courtesy of Alex Hitt


Orientation

Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm


Ventilation

Photo courtesy of Alex HittPhoto by Rex Dufour, NCAT


Here we go!

Photo by Andy Pressman, NCAT


Ground posts




Wood, steel, PVC, electric conduit



Frame


Frame, continued

Crossties, drops, braces, trusses


Bow



Frame, continued

Purlin



Base boards

Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm


Hip boards

Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm


End walls

Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT Photo by Rex Dufour, NCAT Photo by Katherine Adam, NCAT


• §205.206(f) states that producers must not use lumber that has been treated with arsenates or other prohibited materials where it can contact soil or livestock.

• §205.206(c)(6) states that plastic or other synthetic mulches must be removed from the field at the end of the growing or harvest season.

CONTACT YOUR CERTIFIER

NOP regulations


Plastic

• Agriculture plastics (a) IR Blocking plastic (b) Anti-condensate additives

• Double vs. single layer• Interior row covers


Photo courtesy of www.plasticulture.org


Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT Photo by Rex Dufour, NCAT

Roll-up sides


These illustrations adapted from: Blomgren, T. and Frisch, T. 2007. Hightunnels. University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Layout

3 by 14 feet

1-foot path 2-foot path

3 by 14 feet

1-foot path

Lateral bed layout

40-inch bed

18-inch path

Longitudinal layout

3 by 14 feet

1-foot path 2-foot path

3 by 14 feet

1-foot path

Lateral bed layout

40-inch bed

18-inch path

Longitudinal layout


• Soil fertility

• Bed preparation

• Crops and crop sequences

• Weeds and pest management in the hoop house

Production in your hoop house

Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT


• Start with healthy soil with good structure

• Maintain soil structure through adding organic matter and growing green manures

• Avoid salinization

Soil management

Photo courtesy of www.myevergreenfarm.com


Photo courtesy of www.myevergreenfarm.com

Adding nutrients


Hoop house cropping systems

Photos courtesy of www.haygrove.co.uk

See the ATTRA pub Scheduling Vegetable Planting for Continuous Harvest for more information at www.attra.ncat.org


Photo courtesy of Cory and Shanti Rade, Whipstone Farm Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT

Raised beds


Photo courtesy of Burnin’ Daylight Farm

Photo courtesy of Cory and Shanti Rade, Whipstone Farm

Containers


Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT

Plastic



Photo by Katherine Adam, NCAT

Irrigation options• Drip is a good option for most hoop house crops

• You are less likely to have scald and disease problems

Photo courtesy of The Drip Store


• Mulches offer weed management options in the hoop house

Weed management

Photo by Dr. Lewis Jett, West Virginia University


Common diseases in hoop houses:

• Leaf mold

• Canker

• Verticillium wilt

• Powdery mildew

• Some root rot

Disease management

Photo by Leanne Pundt, University of Connecticut Extension


• Encourage beneficials

• Prevent entry through screening

• Scout and monitor

• Introduce beneficials/ insectary crops

Insect management

Photo from www.clipart.com


Common hoop house insect pests

Photo by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Photo courtesy of Central Science Laboratory, Harpenden Archive, Bugwood.org

Photo by Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

See ATTRA’s Biorational Database – www.attra.ncat.org


1. Develop an enterprise budget for crops in the hoop house

2. Plan your crops for markets

Economics and marketing

Photo courtesy of Martin and Christa Stosiek, Markristo Farm


This is adapted from Blomgren, T. and Frisch, T. 2007. Hightunnels. University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Sample enterprise budget - Hoop house tomatoFixed costsConstruction costs Materials Labor

Site prep (tractor, labor) $60 $48High tunnel layout $10 $48Frame and construction $5,000 $576Lumber, hardware, labor $800 $384Endwall finishing $50 $12Water service $50 $12Irrigation $100 $32Backup heater $225 Weed mat $200Harvest containers $200

Subtotals $6,895 $1,244Total construction costs $8,139

Fixed costsHigh tunnel construction (divided over 15 years) $543Interest (construction financed at 7% for 15 years) $285Taxes, land, office expenses, fees $800

Total fixed costs $1,627Total fixed costs (6 month tomato crop $814


This is adapted from Blomgren, T. and Frisch, T. 2007. Hightunnels. University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture.

Sample enterprise budget, continuedVariable costsMaterials and machinery Cost

Plants $700Fertilizer and compost $175Irrigation field supplies $10Stakes, string, clips $200Heater fuel $75Bees for pollination $100Poly covering (divided by 4 years) $200Misc. supplies, repairs, maintenance $150

Subtotal $1,610Labor costsBed prep and fertilizer $144Transplanting, irrigation, weed mat $144Site mowing and weeding $144Pruning and trellising $576Harvesting, grading packing $480High tunnel cleanup $120Annual maintenance $96Environmental management $360

Subtotal $2,064Total variable costs $3,674


*Based on a yield of 3,500 pounds per 14x144 hoop house. The tomatoes are assigned a value of $2.50 per pound.

Net return - Hoop house tomato production

Total costs $4,488Revenues $8,750*

Net return $4,262

Photo courtesy of Dr. Lewis Jett; West Virginia University


Photos courtesy of Dr. Lewis Jett, West Virginia University

Marketing your hoop house crops

• Wholesale marketing• Direct marketing

• Direct wholesale (restaurants)


Direct marketing options

Photos courtesy of Markristo Farm


Wholesale

Photo courtesy of Markristo Farm


Questions?

[email protected]

[email protected]

visit www.attra.ncat.org for more information

Thank you!

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NCAT agriculture specialists Tammy Hinman Andy...

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