The New Hampshire High Tunnel Story NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE New Hampshire January 2011 BACKGROUND National High Tunnel Conservation Benefits Local Foods Initiatives 3-Year Pilot Program High tunnels can provide a number of Growing food locally, especially before significant conservation benefits such as and after the traditional growing season, NRCS offered seasonal high tunnels an increase in plant and soil quality, a helps strengthen the local economy and (officially called “seasonal high tunnel decrease in pesticide use and foliar (leaf) helps ensure the viability and profitability system for crops”) as a conservation disease, and improved energy savings. of small farms. When NH farms succeed, practice for the first time in fiscal year Many farmers who want to grow toma- valuable farmland and cultural heritage are (FY) 2010 as part of a three-year trial to toes without using pesticides often find protected. High tunnels are important tools determine their effectiveness in con- they can only do so successfully if they for enhancing the availability of local food serving water, improving soil health, are grown in a tunnel. Without rainfall, year-round. foliar disease is often reduced because the leaves stay dry. Insects that are com- “As expected, the seasonal high monly a problem in the field may not be “It is phenomenal that winter tunnel pilot has been popular in so in the tunnel because the tunnel tends farmer’s markets in NH have grown New Hampshire. In just one to disrupt their feeding patterns. Other from none four years ago to twenty year, the NRCS-NH helped fund insects that occur in a high tunnel are today. High tunnels provide fresh seventy-nine high tunnels.” often more easily managed using preda- produce for those markets.” tor insects or non-persistent insecticides. Rick Ellsmore, NH State Conservationist Lorraine Merrill, NH Commissioner of Agriculture High tunnels may also reduce nutrient loss by preventing phosphorus runoff and The USDA’s “Know Your Farmer, Know increasing yields, and reducing trans- nitrogen leaching. Finally, producing food Your Food” initiative, seeks to create new port of agricultural pesticides. After re- locally can improve air quality and de- economic opportunities to promote local ceiving nearly 3,000 applications for crease food transportation energy use. foods. The USDA is trying to connect aver- high tunnels nationwide, the NRCS age Americans and their farmers and to obligated $13 million in fiscal year (FY) help create the link between local produc- 2010 for 2,422 seasonal high tunnels in tion and local consumption. 43 states. New Hampshire obligated the fifth largest amount of money for The NH Department of Agriculture is also high tunnels with $705,469, behind promoting locally grown foods. According Alaska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and to the NH Department of Ag., NH only pro- Missouri. NH funded 79 tunnels, the duces 6% of its food, where Vermont pro- tenth most among the states, in addi- duces 23%. NH only has a two-day supply tion to helping build four additional of produce. Lorraine Merrill, NH Commis- demonstration sites. Cover crop growing in December sioner of Agriculture says this is “unac- ceptable” and has been working hard to Easy to build and maintain, high tun- change that. On the bright side, there are nels are structures made of metal pipe “High tunnels are a cost-effective currently 20 winter farmer’s markets and 29 with a polyethylene-cover used to ex- approach to conserving our soil Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) tend the growing season in an environ- quality, reducing pesticide use, and mentally safe manner. High tunnels are providing more affordable access to farms in NH. Individuals or families be- different from greenhouses because, local healthy fruits and vegetables for come members of the CSA . In return for our families. This program is another typically, they are unheated, non- an annual membership fee, they receive example of New Hampshire’s role as shares of farm offerings. High tunnels can permanent structures. Additionally, an innovation leader.” high tunnel crops are grown directly in increase the produce sold at winter the soil, rather than in pots or on Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Senator farmer’s markets as well as add to CSA benches like they are in greenhouses. shares. “By virtue of keeping The New Hampshire High Tunnel Story rain off of crops, high tunnels dramatically increase marketable yields and shelf-life, New Hampshire’s High Tunnel History while also reducing fungal diseases on high- New Hampshire was an ideal participant in NH on high tunnel production in the 1980s. value perishable crops the NRCS High Tunnel Pilot Project, not only From the ‘80s until now, Dr. Wells and Mr. like tomatoes and because of the obvious benefits season ex- Person made improvements in high tunnel raspberries.” tension affords in a northern climate, but design as well as fine tuned crop scheduling Dr. Becky Sideman because NH was instrumental in bringing to maximize profitability. They continue to Assoc. Ext. Professor, high tunnels to national prominence. The show farmers how to extend their growing University of NH University of New Hampshire was one of the season to get maximum return for their in- Sustainable Horticulture first universities to conduct research on high vestment by selling early and late season tunnels through the efforts of Dr. Otho Wells crops. Ed Person was the first NH-based (retired), Dr. Brent Loy, and John McLean. supplier of high tunnels and currently has 23 Dr. Wells began collaborating with Ed Per- of his own at Ledgewood Farm. son of Ledgewood Farm in Moultonborough, NRCS NH’s High Tunnel Expert Dr. Brandon Smith, currently an agronomist the UT organic farm – the first research high with the NRCS in NH, has also become a tunnels in the UT system. With the help of high tunnel expert. Dr. Smith worked at Dr. Annette Wszelaki and Mary Rogers, they Left to Right: Otho UNH’s Woodman Horticultural Farm from researched how crops perform in high ver- Wells, Brandon Smith, Ed Person 1995 to 1997 when he was an undergradu- sus low tunnels or with no cover at all. They ate at UNH. At that time, he helped con- also performed variety trials to gain a better “Producer input was struct and maintain many small high tunnels understanding of growth performance in the valuable for insuring used for research trials. In 2006, Dr. Smith tunnels. His focus was on season extension that tunnels built in became a research professor at the Univer- for hearty winter greens such as spinach, New Hampshire not sity of Tennessee and continued his high kale and other winter vegetables. Dr. Smith only meet the tunnel work. He built three high tunnels on joined the NH NRCS in November of 2008. individual needs of NH producers but are also durable, cost-effective, and The NH NRCS High-Tunnel Pilot provide the best possible conserv- Once NH was chosen for the pilot, the New best possible benefits. The process resulted ation benefits.” Hampshire high tunnel specifications that in 12 approved stationary high tunnel specifi- would qualify for financial assistance under cations and two approved rolling high tunnel Rick Ellsmore, the Seasonal High Tunnel System for Crops specifications in NH. State Conservationist (798) interim practice standard were created. It was still necessary to tailor the specifica- The NH NRCS provides financial assistance tions for NH’s environment, particularly the for high tunnels through the Environmental concerns of snow load and wind. Through- Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Financial out the process, producers made inquiries assistance is offered for a maximum of 2,178 about differences in tunnels and how they square feet per agricultural operation and are built, giving important feedback on their must meet the following requirements: special needs and challenges. For example, Tunnel must be maintained according to producer inquiries resulted in plywood end NRCS specifications for a period of 4 Gothic-style tunnels are walls being allowed. This information was required by the NRCS in years. valuable for insuring that tunnels built in NH New Hampshire because with NRCS financial assistance meet the Provide soil quality, pest, and nutrient in- they hold up best to snow formation to the NRCS related to the high and wind. individual needs of NH producers but are also durable, cost-effective, and provide the tunnel. Page 2 January 2011 The NH NRCS High-Tunnel Pilot (Cont.) “By making high tunnels a special Producers who receive assistance will The tunnel shall not be used to house need to complete an evaluation ques- livestock. initiative and tionnaire every growing season. creating a separate The payment rate for new, historically In order to be eligible, growers must have: funding pool in NH, underserved, or limited resource farm- applications ers is $4.75 per square foot and $3.95 Cropland increased.” per square foot for all other applicants. Control of the land (i.e. own the land or Tunnels must be gothic-style and have a lease or rental agreement) Rick Ellsmore, meet the criteria listed on NH 789 Ap- Produced or sold at least $1,000 of State Conservationist proved Product List and Selection agricultural products in the past year. Criteria. In fiscal year 2010, Electricity, mechanical ventilation and If you currently have a high tunnel, then you New Hampshire heating will be permitted, but NRCS can get assistance to build one additional ranked fifth in the will not provide financial assistance for tunnel, as long as the total square feet of nation for high these items. high tunnels on your land (including the tunnel financial The tunnel will be installed according tunnel to be built) does not exceed 5% of assistance and had to manufacturer’s instructions.