We have been talking about installing a second high tunnel on the farm for several years and we're finally taking the steps to make it happen! Andy and Holly staked out the location this week and plan to have a little site work and water remediation work done within the next eight to ten days.
The farm constructed its first tunnel (pictured above) in the fall of 2012, with the help of a NRCS cost share grant. From the beginning, we recognized the value of covered ground and immediately started talking about the logistics of installing another tunnel. Covered growing space is incredibly valuable on a mountain farm like Against the Grain. For starters, it's essential to grow crops in the cooler months of the year. We are able to produce lettuce, arugula and spinach in the fall, winter and early spring, when it would otherwise be impossible to grow those crops outside. A high tunnel also enables the farm to produce hot season crops like ginger, tomatoes and peppers more effectively. Historically, the cool mountain nights invite disease and discourage strong yields in crops that prefer heat to grow. A high tunnel also offers a physical structure off of which we can more efficiently trellis our tomatoes, further increasing yield potential.
We anticipate a second tunnel providing space to rotate our hot season crops, as well as the space to produce more cool season crops. We also hope to yield early summer squash and late carrots with a new tunnel. Additionally, we anticipate that a second tunnel will increase food security for our CSA members in an ever-increasing insecure climate. Crops grown in a tunnel are sheltered from strong winds and heavy rains, allowing farmers to control water needs of high maintenance crops more precisely.
The support of our CSA membership and farmer’s market customers provides the confidence that the farm needs to invest in another high tunnel. We are so grateful to be farming in a community that supports local agriculture!