Traill County Extension

High Tunnel Workshop for Home Gardeners & Commercial Growers

What is a high tunnel?

High tun­nels are a completely separate produc­tion technol­ogy compared to regular gar­dening or field production. At its simplest, a high tunnel is a non-perma­nent structure with no electrical service and no heat­ing. A single layer of greenhouse plastic covers the frame, is left on year-round, and lasts two or three years. Vents are opened and sides rolled up manually. Plants in the tunnel are protected from frost by mulch or row covers.

High Tunnels are becoming very pop­ular in the local food production sys­tem as they allow both the commercial grower & home gardener to produce an abundance of early produce and also extend the end of the year growing season. Fruits and vegetables grown in high tunnels are often of very high quality.

High tunnels require a substantial capi­tal investment up front, but sometimes can pay for themselves in the first year and even return a profit, if managed properly.

Although high tunnels are simple in na­ture they are deep in understanding. This workshop will cover the basics of installing & operating a high tunnel.

The workshop begins on March 6 at 8:30 a.m. with registration. The schedule will be as follows: 9:00 a.m. “Climate Change and Regional Implications on the Northern Plains” by F. Adnan Akyus, Ph.D., NDSU Assistant Professor of Climatology & North Dakota State Climatologist. 10:00 a.m. “Basics of High Tunnel Production” by Terrance T. Nennich, U of M Extension Professor, Vegetable and Small Fruit Production; 11:00 a.m. “Pick your own Raspberries” by David M Norman, Hawley, MN; 12:30 “Irrigation and Fertilization” by Nennich; 1:30 “Raised Beds and Children (Container Garden using tote)” by Todd Weinmann, NDSU Extension/Cass County Horticulturalist; 2:00 p.m. “Current and Upcoming Crops for High Tunnels” by Nennich; 2:45 “Pushing the Profit Pencil with High Tunnels” by Nennich; 3:15 “High Tunnel Questions and Answers” ; 4:00 p.m. “Horticulture Trials in Clay County” by Randy Nelson, Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension, Clay County.

The workshop will be held at the Clay County Family Service Center, 715 11 Street North, Moorhead, MN. The cost of the workshop is $20 if registered by March 1 and $25 at the door.

If you have questions, please call Todd Weinmann, NDSU Extension Agent/Horticulture in Cass County at 701-241-5707 or Randy Nelson, Extension Educator, U of M Extension Clay County at 218-299-7338. Traill County Extension has the brochure and registration material for those who wish to preregister.

    NDSU Extension Service/Traill County

     114 Caledonia Ave. W.
     Mailing Address (Box 730)
     Hillsboro, ND 58045
     Phone:  701-636-5665   
     Fax: 701-636-5666
     NDSU.Traill.Extension@ndsu.edu

Office Hours:

8 am - 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday

Summer Office Hours:

(Memorial Day - Labor Day)
7am-4:30 pm,  Monday-Thursday
8 am- Noon, Friday

Staff:

Kendall Nichols, Extension Agent/Cropping System
Rachael Hiam, Extension Agent/4-H Youth Development
Leigh Gunkel, Family Nutrition Program Assistant
LeAnn Beck, Administrative Assistant

Related Links:

North Dakota Extension Service
North Dakota Department of Agriculture
Traill County
City of Hillsboro
Cities of Mayville-Portland
City of Hatton