Via MOSES:
High tunnels are taking off in Minnesota and Wisconsin and this is great news for farmers (and eaters) in these two states.
As of this posting, over 160 high tunnels have been funded in Wisconsin through the general Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and Minnesota has funded 93 high tunnels so far in both the regular and organic EQIP. (No numbers are available yet for other Upper Midwestern states, but local NRCS offices report significant interest in the program.)
So far, Wisconsin has funded 93 of the 137 applications under the Organic Initiative EQIP, for a total of $1.2 million dollars. Minnesota has funded 74 applications under the Organic Initiative, for a total of $1.9 million dollars.
All of this makes for serious season extension opportunities for farmers in these two states (by lengthening their seasons with hoop houses, farmers can get to market for early premium prices, or lengthen their seasons for late premium dollars). Plus, it means eaters might get some of their favorite local foods weeks earlier.
That’s very good news in the Upper Midwest.
If you’re a fruit or vegetable grower interested in extending your growing season, this workshop is a must: Adam Montri from Michigan State University will lead a High Tunnel Building Workshop in Eau Claire this May. Montri, his wife Dru and daughter Lydia own and operate Ten Hens Farm, a year-round farm in Bath, Michigan. Download a flyer to learn more, or download a registration form. The registration deadline has been extended to April 26th.
For more information contact Susan Frame: sframe atsymbol cvtc dot edu.
Cost: $75, includes morning snacks, lunch, and afternoon snacks. Space is limited; first come, first served.
When: May 4-5, 10am – 6pm
Location: Chippewa Valley Technical College, Main Campus 620 W Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701.
