ncat agriculture specialists tammy hinman andy...
TRANSCRIPT
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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Benef its, continued
Photo courtesy of Martin and Christa Stosiek, Markristo Farm, Hillsdale, NY
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
3 Low technology
3 Low cost
3 Increase cash flow
Hoop houses
Photo courtesy of SPIN Farming
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Low tunnel High tunnel
Photo courtesy of SPIN Farming Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT
Types of hoop houses
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Low tunnels
Negatives (-):Labor intensiveLimits harvests
Photo courtesy of www.plasticulture.orgPhoto courtesy of SPIN Farming
Positives (+):InexpensiveEasy to installEasy to change covers
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
High tunnels
Solo bay Multi bay
Photo by Rex Dufour, NCAT Photo courtesy of Alex Hitt
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
High tunnel shapes
Photo by Rex Dufour, NCATPhoto courtesy of Ledgewood Farm
Gothic vs. Quonset
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Lengths and widths
Photos by Andy Pressman, NCAT
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Moveable hoop houses
Photo courtesy of Chef’s Garden
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Season extensions
Photo courtesy of Alex HittPhoto courtesy of Ledgewood Farm
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Hoop house uses - crops
Photo courtesy of www.plasticulture.org Photo courtesy of www.haygrove.co.uk
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Why not livestock?
Photo courtesy of www.haygrove.co.ukPhoto courtesy of www.haygrove.co.uk
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Site selection
Photo courtesy of SPIN Farming
Photo courtesy of Alex Hitt
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Orientation
Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Ventilation
Photo courtesy of Alex HittPhoto by Rex Dufour, NCAT
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Here we go!
Photo by Andy Pressman, NCAT
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Ground posts
Photo by Andy Pressman, NCAT
Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Wood, steel, PVC, electric conduit
Photo by Andy Pressman, NCAT
Photo courtesy of SPIN Farming
Frame
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Frame, continued
Crossties, drops, braces, trusses
Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm
Bow
Photo by Andy Pressman, NCAT
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Frame, continued
Purlin
Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Base boards
Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Hip boards
Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
End walls
Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT Photo by Rex Dufour, NCAT Photo by Katherine Adam, NCAT
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Plastic
• Agriculture plastics (a) IR Blocking plastic (b) Anti-condensate additives
• Double vs. single layer• Interior row covers
Photo courtesy of Ledgewood Farm
Photo courtesy of www.plasticulture.org
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT Photo by Rex Dufour, NCAT
Roll-up sides
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
• 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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Photo courtesy of www.myevergreenfarm.com
Adding nutrients
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Photo courtesy of Cory and Shanti Rade, Whipstone Farm Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT
Raised beds
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Photo courtesy of Burnin’ Daylight Farm
Photo courtesy of Cory and Shanti Rade, Whipstone Farm
Containers
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Photo by Michael McNair, NCAT
Plastic
Photo by Andy Pressman, NCAT
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
• Mulches offer weed management options in the hoop house
Weed management
Photo by Dr. Lewis Jett, West Virginia University
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
• Encourage beneficials
• Prevent entry through screening
• Scout and monitor
• Introduce beneficials/ insectary crops
Insect management
Photo from www.clipart.com
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
*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
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Photos courtesy of Dr. Lewis Jett, West Virginia University
Marketing your hoop house crops
• Wholesale marketing• Direct marketing
• Direct wholesale (restaurants)
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Direct marketing options
Photos courtesy of Markristo Farm
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Wholesale
Photo courtesy of Markristo Farm
The National Center for Appropriate Technology • www.ncat.org • 800-275-6228 (1-800-ASK-NCAT)
Questions?
visit www.attra.ncat.org for more information
Thank you!