YEBOAH, O., G. A. GAYLE, M. R. REDDY, M. REYES, V. OFORI-BOADU, K. TAYLOR

N O R T H C A R O L I N A A G R I C U L T U R A L A N D T E C H N I C A L S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y , G R E E N S B O R O .

High Tunnels for Season Extension of Specialty Vegetable

Production on Small Farms

A Presentation at the 5th National Small Farm Conference. September 15-17, 2009, Springfield, Illinois.

Outline of Presentation

Introduction1

Objectives2

High Tunnel Technology3

Materials and Methods4

Results and Discussion5

Intoduction

� The stability of family farms is very essential since they form the basis of most rural economies

� However, small family farms in the U.S. Agricultural sector is declining as they face a new set of complex challenges.

� In North Carolina, tobacco has declined in its importance and now ranks third in generating income behind swine and poultry production (USDA-NASS Census, 2002)

� The buyout program has adversely affected small tobacco farmers as many have gone out of business.

Introduction

� the increasing cost of fossil fuel, and competition from large-scale producers of traditionally grown crops such as tobacco, corn etc.

� There is a need to introduce small farmers � to alternative enterprises

� to innovative ways to reduce production cost and to maximize the use of their limited resources in an environmentally friendly yet profitable manner

� Studies shows a growing demand for high value specialty fruits and vegetables

� This could provide an avenue for limited resource farmers to compete for a niche market.

Introduction

� Challenges faced by small farmers producing specialty crops:

� limited by the weather conditions and are not able to produce year round

� Lose contact with customers in the off seasons

� in-door producers are faced with irrigation water quantity and quality issues and increasing high energy costs.

Objective of Project

� To extend the vegetable production season on small farms in North Carolina using high tunnel technology

� To provide training, evaluation and demonstration to enable farmers produce a diversity of specialty crops for niche markets through the entire year with efficient management in business practices, conservation of water, soil, energy and other natural resources.

High Tunnels

� High tunnels are unheated, plastic covered structures that provide an intermediate level of environmental protection and control compared to open field conditions and heated greenhouses (Hightunnels.org, 2008).

� these structures have no supplemental heat or automated ventilation

� can allow for rotating to a new location thereby avoiding pest and disease build up as well as nutrient depletion.

•The design and installation is simple and costs effective.

•The design is a quonset-shape, constructed of metal bows attached to metal posts that have been driven into the ground.

•The frame is covered with a single layer greenhouse grade polyethylene

•It is ventilated by manually rolling up the sides.

High Tunnels

� Several research studies suggest that high tunnels can increase profitability by

� extending the production season to provide an out-of-season product for a premium price;

� increasing the quality, yield and shelf life of the product;

� minimizing the use of pesticides;

� ensuring a continuous flow of product when the outside environment is not favorable for field production (Karl Foord, 2004).

Historical data on price of tomato at point of first sale shows that prices of tomato can increase by over 100% in the off seasons of between November and January as compared to prices in July/August.

Figure 1. 2004 – 2008 Average Monthly Prices of Tomatoes (Cents/lb)

Source: USDA, Economic Research Services

Materials and Method

� Two tobacco greenhouses were converted to high tunnels on a small farm in Montgomery County, North Carolina.

� The dimensions were 6.1m (20’) wide, 15.24m (50’) long and 2.75m (9’) high.

� The soil in the tunnels was Autryville Sand with a saturated conductivity of 5.0cm/hr; � it was acidic, � deficient in nitrogen and potassium � and very high in phosphorus.

� Three tons/acre lime was applied and disked in prior to planting.

� Nitrogen and potassium were applied by disking in at 50 and 100 lbs/acre respectively prior to planting.

Construction of High Tunnel for Lucas Farms

NCA&T Students and Faculty assisting with design and Construction

High Tunnels

Installing Drip Irrigation System

Materials and Methods

� The tunnels were planted with two varieties of tomatoes BHN 444 and Celebrity in late spring.

� Irrigation was provided by an International Development Enterprise (IDE) drip system which is regarded as a low-cost irrigation unit.

� After the field was saturated for planting, irrigation was applied at about 1.02cm (0.4”) per day to satisfy the evapotranspiration rate of the tomato varieties selected.

� During the growing season nitrogen and potassium were applied at the rate of 150lbs each/acre through fertigation.

Tomato Seedlings from the University Farm

Farmer transplanting Tomato in the high tunnel

Three Weeks after planting

Six Weeks after planting

Results and Discussion

� The growth of tomato varieties BHN 444 and Celebrity was satisfactory.

� Harvesting of tomatoes and marketing began on June 30, 2009. The production gradually increased and it was highest on Aug. 1st, 2009 (Figure 2).

� The tomato yield from BHN 444 was higher than Celebrity. There was some disease problem with the Celebrity variety.

� A number of factors could have contributed to this including temperature and humidity.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1 2 3 4 5

Harvest

BHN 444

Celebrity

Yie

ld(lb

)

Figure 2. Tomato Yields from the two High Tunnels

Healthy Tomato Fruits

Healthy Tomato Fruits

Ripe Tomato Fruits ready for the Market

Results and Conclusion

� Data collection is still in process.

� However, within a period of five weeks the farmer has marketed 1,206 lbs of tomatoes at prices ranging from $0.70/lb to a premium price of $1.80/lb.

� Although this harvesting is within the growing season of tomato, the farmer is still able to get relatively higher price for his produce due to its quality and uniformity (See Figure 3).

� A real case in point to support this fact is that on July 18th, the farmer was able to sell all of his 36lbs of ripe tomatoes at $1.80/lb at a Greensboro Farmers Market while others in the same market were selling tomatoes at $1.50/lb.

Figure 3. Weekly Selling Price of Tomatoes ($/lb)

Source: USDA, Agricultural Marketing Services

Results and Discussion

� Project requires more data to analyze economic impact of the extension of growing season using high tunnels

� However, projection from data collected so far indicates that high tunnel production is more likely to give higher gross sales and higher income per unit of area than field-grown tomatoes.

� High Tunnel is a land-saving technology: it will enable limited resource farmers produce on small acreage and maintain a steady income

Results and Discussion

� Provides safe and secure food for consumers at lower price

� Minimal carbon footprint

� Direct marketing opportunity translates into higher profits as marketing costs is minimized