scholarly journals Farm Type and High Tunnel Management: Connections between Farm Characteristics and High Tunnel Outcomes in Indiana

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 566-576
Author(s):  
Analena B. Bruce ◽  
Elizabeth T. Maynard ◽  
Julia C.D. Valliant ◽  
James R. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
High Capacity ◽  
Human Dimensions ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Financial Return ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Farm Type ◽  
High Tunnels

High tunnels are a low-cost technology that can strengthen local and regional food systems and have been shown to help farmers extend the growing season and increase the yield and shelf life, and improve the quality of their crops. This study addresses a need for a better understanding of farmers’ experience with integrating high tunnels into their operations, to understand the human dimensions of high tunnel management. We present an analysis of survey and interview data to examine how farm characteristics affect the outcomes of growing specialty crops in high tunnels. Our findings show that farmers managing different types of farms have taken distinct approaches to integrating and managing high tunnels on their farms, with important implications for farm-level outcomes. We identify three types of farms commonly adopting high tunnels in Indiana: 1) alternative food and agriculture enterprises (AFAEs) are consumer-oriented, small-scale farms that sell their products directly to their customers in relationship-based market networks such as farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture; 2) mixed enterprise farmers have larger operations and sell into both conventional commodity markets and direct markets; and 3) side enterprise farmers operate small-scale enterprises and their primary household income comes from off-farm employment or another business. Farm type is associated with divergent levels of time and labor investment, resulting in higher capacity use of high tunnels and greater financial return for AFAE farmers who make high tunnels central to their business, compared with mixed and side enterprise farmers who invest less time and labor into their high tunnels. We explain how farm characteristics and approaches to adopting the infrastructure shape farmers’ success and high-capacity use of high tunnels.

scholarly journals Farmers’ Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities Associated with Using High Tunnels for Specialty Crops

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Analena B. Bruce ◽  
Elizabeth T. Maynard ◽  
James R. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Shelf Life ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Human Dimensions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Extension Educators ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Premium Price

High tunnels are an increasingly popular part of the infrastructure among small and diversified farms that market their products directly to consumers. In addition to extending the growing season, research has strongly indicated that high tunnels can increase yield, enhance shelf life, and improve the quality of crops grown. The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding, from the perspective of farmers, of the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting high tunnels for specialty crops in Indiana. We collected information through a case study that included questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 20 farmers. We found that the additional labor and time requirements of high tunnel production, the increased complexity of high tunnel production, soil fertility, and disease management, and limited winter markets posed the greatest challenges. The ability to differentiate their products based on higher quality and longer shelf life, the ability to obtain a premium price, the ability to have a source of income during the off-season, and the ability to produce complementary crops were the most important opportunities for using high tunnels. This research implied ways to expand opportunities and reduce barriers to maximizing the potential of high tunnels. Understanding the human dimensions of managing high tunnels is important for providing extension educators and Natural Resources Conservation Service field staff with better knowledge of the common difficulties and benefits of this technology so they are better able to advise farmers considering investing in a high tunnel. A focus on the human dimensions is also helpful for identifying research priorities to evaluate new approaches to decreasing problems and increasing benefits. Consequently, this study provided an in-depth understanding of farm-level challenges associated with high tunnel adoption to improve future research in diverse fields.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of urban farming program in providing multiple benefits to the urban community in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazanin Nafisi ◽  
Osman Mohd Tahir ◽  
Sara Nafisi ◽  
Nazri Ishak
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Community Gardens ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Urban Farming ◽  
Urban Regions ◽  
Food Imports

Residents have chosen to be living in urban regions in recent years largely due to the accessibility of job opportunities and public services. These led to a fast increase in the amount of people live in urban regions and cities. As a result, a large amount of the property used for agricultural activities was transformed into factories, housing units, and highways. This also resulted in a decrease in food production, growth in food prices and food import bills as the country now relies on food imports especially rice, fruits and vegetables, that can prevent the fostering of urban farming activities and then provide beneficial information essential to form it into a more consumer friendly program. Moreover, studies on urban farming are somewhat few in Malaysia and this study can become helpful for future research. The study focused on small-scale agriculture projects, such as community gardens, and community-level programs such as community supported agriculture and farmers markets. The study found that how urban agriculture enhances community resilience and wellbeing. This is the necessity for the Malaysian urban authorities to give more appropriate identification and support to city dwellers and promote them to develop the practice of urban farming.

scholarly journals High Tunnels Are My Crop Insurance: An Assessment of Risk Management Tools for Small-scale Specialty Crop Producers

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Belasco ◽  
Suzette Galinato ◽  
Tom Marsh ◽  
Carol Miles ◽  
Russell Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Crop Insurance ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Specialty Crop ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Protection And Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Field Production

High tunnels are being used by specialty crop producers to enhance production yields and quality, extend growing seasons, and protect crops from extreme weather. The tunnels are unheated, plastic-covered structures under which crops are planted directly in the soil, and they provide greater environmental protection and control than open-field production. This study uses field-level experiments to evaluate high-tunnel production. The results suggest that investments in high tunnels can provide increased profits and superior protection against adverse risks relative to crop insurance.

scholarly journals Agriculture Supported Communities: Connecting Low-income Communities with Small-scale Vegetable and Fruit Producing Farms (P04-128-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renate Winkels ◽  
Susan Veldheer ◽  
Andrew Smith
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Direct Marketing ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Fresh Vegetables

Abstract Objectives Barriers regarding affordability of and access to fresh vegetables and fruit pose low-income families at increased risk of diet-related diseases. Small farms can play a key role in providing local communities with fresh produce, through farmers’ markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and other direct marketing strategies. Nevertheless, these farms face specific challenges related to payment terms and conditions and delivery when aiming to connect with low-income communities. Rodale Institute's Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC) program aims to connect small-scale fruit and vegetable farms with low-income communities. This farm-share program sells weekly food boxes with organic fruits and vegetables in cities with major food insecurity problems in Pennsylvania (Allentown and Reading). ASC allows members to pay week-to-week, rather than upfront as in a traditional CSA. ASC shareholders can use federal SNAP dollars to pay for discounted shares or apply for subsidized shares. ASC pick-up sites are located in the targeted communities. Our objective is to evaluate the ASC program and its ability to reach the intended low-income communities. Methods In 2016 and 2017, surveys were distributed among ASC shareholders to collect socio-economic data and program satisfaction. In addition, we evaluated how many participants used SNAP to pay for the shares. Results ASC had 150 shareholders in 2016 and 151 in 2017. In 2016, 89 shareholders (59%) were living in low-income areas in Allentown or Reading, in 2017 this was 76 (50%). In 2016, 43% of the shareholders reported an income < 50k$, in 2017 this was 25%. In 2016, 11 members (7%) paid with SNAP, in 2017 15 members (10%). Conclusions ASC reached low-income community members; however, the program also reached a population at the other end of the economic spectrum. This poses challenges for the farmer regarding production and distribution. The farmers within ASC are using these data to optimize production and methods of delivery to meet the needs of low-income communities. In a future project, we hope to evaluate the effect of ASC membership on dietary intake and other health indicators, and measure the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the model. Funding Sources For a list of funders see rodaleinstitute.org/asc.

scholarly journals Horticultural Crop Production in High Tunnels in the United States: A Snapshot

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward E. Carey ◽  
Lewis Jett ◽  
William J. Lamont ◽  
Terrance T. Nennich ◽  
Michael D. Orzolek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cut Flower ◽  
Horticultural Crop ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Small Fruit ◽  
High Tunnels

High tunnels are becoming an increasingly important production tool for vegetable, small fruit, and cut flower growers in many parts of the United States. They provide a protected environment relative to the open field, allowing for earlier or later production of many crops, and they typically improve yield and quality as well as disease and pest management. Producers, ranging from small-scale market gardens to larger scale farms, are using high tunnels of various forms to produce for early markets, schedule production through extended seasons, grow specialty crops that require some environmental modification, and capture premium prices. The rapid ongoing adoption of high tunnels has resulted in numerous grower innovations and increased university research and extension programming to serve grower needs. An informal survey of extension specialists was conducted in 2007 to estimate numbers (area) of high tunnels and crops being grown in them by state, and to identify current research and extension efforts. Results of this survey provide an indication of the increasing importance of these structures for horticultural crop production across the country.

scholarly journals Assessing Consumer Demand for Georgia Lavender-Based Products

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 461-479
Author(s):  
Joshua Berning ◽  
Benjamin Campbell ◽  
Joshua Buttshaw
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Contingent Valuation ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Dichotomous Choice ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Contingent Valuation Survey ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
Product Familiarity ◽  
Locally Grown

AbstractTo further improve the understanding of promoting locally grown lavender, we examine consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for three lavender-based products: lavender bundles, culinary lavender, and lavender oil. We evaluate an online sample located in the southeast using a double-bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation survey. Lavender bundles have the highest WTP, followed by oil and culinary lavender. Certain marketing factors result in higher WTP, including product familiarity, familiarity with the Georgia Grown program, and shopping frequency at farmers’ markets. This study provides a better understanding of the opportunity for small-scale farmers to market specialty crops such as lavender.

scholarly journals Can a shift in the purchase of local foods by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients impact the local economy?

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence A. Becot ◽  
Marilyn Sitaker ◽  
Jane M. Kolodinsky ◽  
Emily H. Morgan ◽  
Weiwei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Community Supported Agriculture ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

AbstractIn recent years, several initiatives have sought to encourage redemption of food assistance benefits at direct-to-consumer (DTC) market venues such as community supported agriculture programs and farmers’ markets in the USA, with the dual goal of increasing access to healthy foods for low-income families and sales of locally-grown foods for farmers. Proponents of these interventions assert that these programs have a positive impact on local economies yet there is limited evidence to validate this argument. This research project used a customized input-output model to simulate potential economic impacts of programs and policies that enable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to shift purchases from traditional food retailers to DTC venues in four states. Two different scenarios were explored: (1) increased outreach to low-income consumers and (2) financial support for using SNAP benefits at DTC market channels. We found a positive, though modest, economic impact at the state level under both scenarios when accounting for (a) business losses in the food retail and wholesale sectors, (b) a shift in acreage from commodity to specialty crops and (c) the cost to taxpayers. Since most of the increased economic activity would be in the produce farming sector, we discuss the opportunities and challenges for this sector along with potential policy implications.

scholarly journals Production System for Horticultural Crops Grown in the Penn State High Tunnel

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 358-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Lamont ◽  
Michael D. Orzolek ◽  
E. Jay Holcomb ◽  
Kathy Demchak ◽  
Eric Burkhart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Production System ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Penn State ◽  
Black Plastic

At the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) High Tunnel Research and Education Facility, a system of production of high-value horticultural crops in high tunnels has been developed that uses plastic mulch and drip irrigation. The Penn State system involves small-scale, plastic-application equipment that prepares and applies plastic mulch and drip-irrigation tape to individual raised beds. It differs from the production system developed by researchers at the University of New Hampshire in which drip-irrigation tape is manually applied to the soil surface and then the entire soil surface in the high tunnel is covered with a black plastic sheet. An overview of the production system used in the Penn State high tunnels is presented in this report.

scholarly journals Impact of Shade and Fogging on High Tunnel Production and Mineral Content of Organically Grown Lettuce, Basil, and Arugula in Georgia

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 625
Author(s):  
Savanah Laur ◽  
Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva ◽  
Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez ◽  
Timothy Coolong
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Content ◽  
Planting Date ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Lactuca Sativa L ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Shade Cloth ◽  
High Tunnels ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
Organically Grown ◽  
The Impact

This study evaluated the impact of shade cloth and fogging systems on the microclimate at the plant canopy level and yield of basil (Oscimum basilicum L.), arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. Sativa L.), and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) planted in mid-September and early October in high tunnels. Fogging systems were installed at canopy level in plots within shaded (30%) and non-shaded high tunnels. Average air temperatures in the shaded high tunnels were 0.9 °C lower than non-shaded high tunnels during the day. Shade cloth significantly reduced soil temperatures during the day and night periods by 1.5 °C and 1.3 °C, respectively, compared to non-shaded treatments. Fogging systems did not have an impact on air temperature, soil temperature, or relative humidity, but did increase canopy leaf wetness. Shade and fogging did not impact the yield of any of the crops grown. Yield was impacted by planting date, with earlier planting result in higher yields of lettuce and basil. Yields for arugula were greater during the second planting date than the first. Planting date and shade cloth interacted to affect the concentrations of macronutrients.

Season, sowing date, and row cover influences the production of cool season vegetables in movable high tunnels

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 528-536
Author(s):  
David A. Baumbauer ◽  
Macdonald H. Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Sowing Date ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
High Tunnel ◽  
Leafy Greens ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
Seeding Date ◽  
Northern Latitudes ◽  
Growing Degree Hours ◽  
High Tunnels

Moveable high tunnels offer the possibility of increasing the number of crops harvested from a given piece of ground in northern latitudes where there is a short growing season. In an effort to expand crop scheduling options, three leafy greens and three root vegetables were grown in the spring in a movable high tunnel, and in the fall were sown outside and the tunnel was moved over the crops in late September. The effects of seeding date and addition of row cover were further explored on fresh weight and days to harvest. Using row cover within the high tunnel increased growing degree hours (GDH) by an average of 29% in the spring and 17% in the fall over a high tunnel without row cover. Soil degree hours (SDH) in the high tunnel with row cover increased an average of 9% in the spring and 12% in the fall over the high tunnel without row cover. The addition of row cover increased yield of leafy greens and turnip by an average of 35% in spring 2018 when the outside air temperature was considerably below average. Early-seeded fall leafy greens out-yielded late-seeded by 52% due to the ability to make a second harvest. Using row cover within the high tunnel increased GDH and SDH during both spring and fall seasons and increased the yield of cool season vegetables when outside air temperatures were considerably below average.

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