Progress report for ENC22-216
Project Information
Extension and research specialists from North Dakota State University and South Dakota State University will collaborate to train Northern Great Plains stakeholders in current high tunnel construction and management techniques that address the unique climate challenges and market opportunities within the Dakotas.
Government technical service providers, local foods-focused non-profits, tribal entities engaged in specialty crop production, educators overseeing farm to school activities, county and regional extension staff, and the next generation of specialty crop producers will engage in high tunnel education through local on-farm field days and research and farm experience intensive short courses. The project team will develop a Northern Great Plains High Tunnel Production Manual and regionally-specific high tunnel videos to create lasting educational resources for use beyond the life of the proposed project.
Project participants will increase knowledge and confidence in high tunnel management and be empowered to provide greater high tunnel production support and education within local communities to improve economic outcomes for growers and rural communities through increased farm sales, new market channels such as food hubs, and increased farm to school purchases within each state.
Outputs of this project will include participation in educational activities, creation of educational presentations, print, and digital resources related to high tunnel production, and publication of needs assessment results and grant activity evaluations and reports.
One high tunnel training and research needs assessment distributed by NDSU will reach over 500 unique individuals across South Dakota and North Dakota with a response rate of at least 30%. Responses will inform project educational activities, and will result in 1 IRB-approved, published open-access peer-reviewed research article to inform future research and education within the Midwest. Educational activity evaluations collected in both states will be entered, analyzed, and reported out by SDSU resulting in 2 project progress reports and 1 final report. As assistants for these activities, 2 undergraduate students will be trained in collecting and analyzing survey and evaluation data.
The North and South Dakota High Tunnel Short Courses will provide in-depth research and farmer experience education to at least 100 technical service providers, non-profit and tribal staff, public school educators, extension personnel, and specialty crop producers. These events will result in the creation of 8 new high tunnel training modules (4 research and 4 farm experience-based) that can be amended and presented to future audiences in each state and at regional events beyond the life of the grant.
A total of 10 regional on-farm and campus field days across North and South Dakota will provide hands-on high tunnel training, research-based best practices and networking opportunities to 30 stakeholders representing 6 or more unique organizations per event. This will result in creation of 2 state-specific high tunnel field training curricula, empowerment of 5 farmer-presenters, high tunnel training for 300 professionals to share with their respective stakeholders, and the formation of at least 10 new partnerships.
Team members will synthesize recent Midwest high tunnel research, including research findings from NDSU and SDSU, and on-farm experiences to create one Northern Great Plains High Tunnel Manual containing detailed chapters on topics including: site consideration and construction; soil, fertility, and irrigation management; pest and disease management; crop rotations and management; food safety from field to consumer; and marketing and economic considerations. This manual will be published on the SDSU Extension website and cross-linked with NDSU Extension. 500 print copies will be distributed through events in North and South Dakota beyond the life of the grant.
NDSU and SDSU will work with their respective university technology teams to plan, film, and produce an on-farm video that details specific Northern Great Plains high tunnel production challenges, opportunities, and solutions. This will result in 2 unique, high-quality 20-minute videos to be published on each university’s respective Extension YouTube page and shared on relevant social media pages with an anticipated 500 views per video one year after the conclusion of the grant.
Education
There has been a 10-year gap in dedicated high tunnel production education by great plains extension personnel; structures and production techniques have improved in the intervening years, and a new generation of beginning fruit, vegetable, and cut flower farmers is interested in adding a high tunnel to their farm. Extreme heat and wind make managing high tunnels challenging within ND and SD. Still, benefits of season extension and crop quality outweigh the challenges.
Our educational approach was a combination of formal teaching, in-depth group discussion and active learning. When it comes to high tunnel education, inviting experienced producers to share their successes and failures is invaluable. Their knowledge is not abstract; they have experienced the challenges that they discuss. Our approach was also very active in that participants were invited into the high tunnels to see and experience innovative design as well as crop production. Another aspect is that we are engaging in a train-the-trainer approach. Much of our training is extended to USDA-NRCS personnel that have local high tunnel stakeholders. By educating them, they can do reach stakeholders and interested growers at the local level.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Assess the needs of regional producers
In January of 2023, a Qualtrics-based needs assessment was distributed to high tunnel producers and technical service providers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Montana. The needs assessment attempted to discover the size and scope of the regional industry, the broad range of crops, and the challenges that producers face.
Close to 150 stakeholders completed the survey. Results were compiled and summarized. The results were useful in illuminating specific grower challenges and the need for education in these areas. Using this information, the South Dakota State University High Tunnel Workshop and Tour was designed to meet these specific educational needs. A journal article summarizing the results of the needs assessment has been drafted and will be submitted for publication after further improvement.
Extend high tunnel education to producers and technical service providers
North Dakota State University (NDSU) conducted two high tunnel field days in 2024. The first field day was held on July 30, 2024 on the campus of North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND. The morning session included research-based presentations on vegetable production, cut flower production, and automated drip irrigation. The outdoor afternoon session included a comparison tour of the high tunnel and caterpillar tunnel. To round out the day, graduate students presented research on tomato grafting and other topics.
A second field day was conducted on September 5, 2024 at the NDSU Horticultural Research Farm near Amenia, ND. The field day included presentations on caterpillar tunnels for grape production and high tunnel tomato production under three different irrigation regimens.
SDSU hosted three unique high tunnel events in 2024 including a 4-day hands-on high tunnel build workshop, a cut flower and high tunnel on-farm field day, and their annual specialty crop field day which featured a session on lessons learned when constructing a high tunnel.
Kristine Lang, Tanner Aiken, SDSU Facilities, and three farmer trainers (Darin Walder, Shannon Mutschelknaus, and Dirk Oudman) led a four-part high tunnel assembly workshop providing 7 hours x 4 days = 28 hours of education. The event was split into two weeks with learning outcomes and activities advertised and executed as follows on May 7, 8, 14, and 16, 2024: Participants will assemble high tunnel trusses and erect them on pre-placed ground posts. Teams will learn how to install and secure bows/trusses to ground posts, attach purlins between trusses, and reinforce the high tunnel with cross bracing. Installation of wiggle wire channels, baseboards, and a polycarbonate end wall will begin. Participants will continue the progress made in week one plastic will be pulled over the high tunnel frame. If/once plastic is pulled over the structure everyone will learn how to secure plastic with wiggle wire and how to install roll-up sides with motors, and how to properly install the inflation fan.
On August 21, 2024 SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Specialty Producers association collaborated with Freedom Acres SD LLC and Blue Dasher Farm to host a multi-location on-farm field day highlighting the use of high tunnels and caterpillar tunnels for growing specialty cut flowers. The day started with a tour of a high tunnel and explanation of an NRCS-funded rain catchment and irrigation system. The field day concluded with a discussion of maintaining caterpillar tunnels and preserving plastic in high wind conditions while identifying which cultivars grow best under plastic.
Kristine Lang, SDSU Extension, and SDSU Facilities collaborated to host the 4th annual SDSU Extension Specialty Crop Field Day on September 10, 2024. Attendance was 95 people including farmers, technical service providers, SDSU students, tribal members, and home gardeners. During the event attendees were welcome to tour both high tunnels at their leisure. A formal presentation entitled "What we did and what we would do differently" Q&A was co-facilitated by with Kristine Lang, Tanner Aiken, Darin Waldner, and Shannon Mutschelknaus facilitating a discussion with plenty of time for questions and answers.
North Dakota State University (NDSU) conducted two high tunnel field days in 2023. The first field day was held on July 25, 2023 on the NDSU campus in Fargo, ND. The morning included talks on the basics of high tunnel construction, finding funding or financing, addressing heat-related issues, and an in-depth Q & A session. The event concluded with a tour of the campus high tunnel and informal talks within it. The second NDSU field day was held on September 7, 2023 at the NDSU Horticultural Research Farm in Amenia, ND and the focus was on more advanced topics.
South Dakota State University also held two field days during the 2023 growing season. On June 5, over 75 people gathered in Webster, SD to learn the ins and outs of high tunnel production through a hands-on tour. Attendees also learned about tomato grafting, a production technique that is gaining popularity within high tunnels, and food safety within and beyond the high tunnel production system. This event highlighted local fruit and vegetable farmer experiences thanks to our hosts: Darin, Melissa, and Sue Waldner. The second field day held by SDSU was on September 21 in Huron, SD. This field day was in collaboration with Beadle County Conservation. The two-hour event highlighted urban production and unique considerations for building and managing high tunnels within a municipality. Beadle Conservation district staff and board members also dug deep on soil health and crop rotations within high tunnels.
2024
NDSU FD 1: Sixteen individuals attended the event and 9 completed the event evaluation. Sixty-seven percent of survey respondents said they would try something new on the farm, in the garden or at work due to the workshop. In addition, 100% of survey participants said they would share what they learned with others.
NDSU FD 2: Seventy-five individuals attended the event. No evaluation was conducted.
SDSU HT Build Workshop: 95 attendees including current farmers, beginning/considering farmers, tribal members, technical service providers, and SDSU students. All attendees reported learning something new from the farmer trainers at this event, with over 50% reporting learning 5+ new things related to high tunnel construction. 63% of attendees felt more prepared to purchase a high tunnel for their farm or workplace, and 93% felt more confident constructing their own high tunnel with 100% reporting they understood the tools needed to complete construction. 87% of attendees planned to share what they learned with another person.
SDSU On-farm HT + Cut Flower Field Day: 65 attendees; 100% of attendees surveyed reported learning at least one new thing, with 70% reporting learning 6 or more new things at the field day. 96% of attendees reported that they planned to share what they learned with at least one other person. 74% of attendees reported that they would try something new on their farm or in their workplace because of this field day.
SDSU Specialty Crop Field Day: 45 attendees for presentation/discussion.
2023
NDSU FD 1: Thirty-nine individuals attended the event and 21 completed the event evaluation. As a result of the event, 15 out of 21 surveyed individuals stated that they would try something new on their farm, garden, or at work as a result of the education received. Eighteen out of the 21 individuals indicated they would be willing to share with others what they learned.
NDSU FD 2: The field day attracted 78 attendees. Two presentations focused on high tunnel tomato and pepper production using automated irrigation. The other two presentations highlighted caterpillar tunnel production of grapes, tomatoes, and peppers. No survey was conducted for this event.
SDSU FD 1: Over 75% of farmers, technical service providers, students and gardeners reported learning 4+ new things at the event. 86% of attendees said they would try something new on their farm or in their garden as a result of the field day, and 95% said they planned to share what they learned with another person. Comments included that people loved networking and visiting with other attendees and that they appreciated learning more about the structure, what to ask before purchasing, and irrigation.
SDSU FD 2: Thirty-one participants engaged in this session, and attendees included conservation professionals, NRCS staff, farmers, and community garden volunteers. East-central SD sometimes gets overlooked in programming, so this was as great opportunity to engage a regional community in the discussion. There is a growing number of cut flower farms in this region, and many of those farmers report that they would like to add high tunnels to their production systems.
Provide in-depth education and networking opportunities to service providers, tribal members, and farmers
On October 16 and 17 Rhoda Burrows and Kristine Lang collaborated with South Dakota professionals and farmers, and North Dakota State University colleagues to host the first-ever South Dakota High Tunnel Short Course in Rapid City, SD. Participants from tribal communities, non-profits, government orgs, and farms across the state gathered to engage in discussion with nine presenters on day one of the short course. One day two the 50+ participants gathered on a charter bus to visit Porcupine and Spearfish, SD for an in-person look at two different high tunnel structures and production models. This short course wrapped up a 2023 summer series focused on high tunnel education from Webster to Huron to Rapid City, SD.
On day one, participants indicated learning the highest number of new ideas from the four farmer presenters, demonstrating the importance of practical experiences and approachable information. 80% of participants reported that they would try something new on their farm or at their organization because of what they learned on day one, and 91% of attendees reported that they would share what they learned with another person indicating the amplification of high tunnel knowledge. Attendees also reported increased confidence (over 85%) in their ability to construct and grow within a high tunnel. Attendees praised the volume and variety of information. After touring two high tunnel production systems, 47% of attendees reported they had learned 5+ new ideas from both farm sites, and 86% reported they would try at least one of those ideas on their operation. Interestingly, confidence for high tunnel construction decreased after the tours, but this may have been due to seeing the steps in person and considering the volume of planning this entails. Fortunately, confidence to produce crops in a high tunnel topped out at 95%; this is a tribute to the farmer tour guides who shared detailed crop production information.
Quotes from attendees:
"I thought it was a great mix-up of topics and presenters."
"Fantastic information. Thank you for organizing programs to help people like me better understand and further my knowledge to help myself and others."
By empowering farmers, tribal members, and community organization leaders to learn about high tunnels and share this information with others, we set the stage for increased science- and experience-based growing methods in ND and SD high tunnels.
Provide in-depth education and networking opportunities to service providers, tribal members, and farmers
On October 10 and 11, Drs. Esther McGinnis and Harlene Hatterman-Valenti collaborated with faculty and personnel from four institutions (NDSU, SDSU, University of Minnesota, and Concordia College) to host the NDSU High Tunnel Short Course. Day one was a formal workshop with presentations on season extension, soil health, high tunnel construction lessons, tomato diagnosis, drip irrigation, and post-harvest handling and sanitation. USDA-NRCS personnel were on hand to answer questions regarding the EQIP program. Day two featured a bus tour that visited a local specialty crop producer’s high tunnel operation in Lidgerwood, ND and Concordia College’s Cornucopia Organic Garden and High Tunnel in Moorhead, MN. Forty-five individuals attended day one and 34 individuals attended day two.
Twenty-two participants completed the evaluation of the two-day event. The event attracted university, extension, USDA-NRCS, and Soil Conservation District personnel plus specialty crop producers, Extension Master Gardeners and tribal communities. The participants had a range of experience from thinking about purchasing a high tunnel to professional producers and everything in between. One hundred percent of survey participants said they would recommend the training to others. Survey participants appreciated the honest sharing of what works but also what was less successful. Participants expressed great enthusiasm for the tour of Uncle Jesse’s Produce (high tunnel specialty crop producer) in Lidgerwood because it showed what was possible. Eighteen out of the 22 survey participants indicated they would make changes or implement practices that were taught during the short course. Specific changes or practices included purchasing a high tunnel, using drip irrigation, engaging in soil testing, paying attention to water pH, using crop rotation, improving soil health, maximizing vertical growing, using heat cables.
Quotes from attendees:
“Good information, appreciated the sharing of not just what works but also the lessons learned from what didn’t quite work”
“It was great to see how high tunnels can work and how they extend the growing season for gardeners/farmers in ND”
“The tour was great, seeing the real application of high tunnel use.”
“Everything was wonderful! I had a great time and learned a lot. The tours of the high tunnels were especially interesting.”
“I thought it was a great introduction for me. I was a little overwhelmed at the amount of information, but that’s NOT criticism, rather it showed me how much I don’t know.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Additional outcomes of the project, not already reflected above, have included the "trickle down" effect of education being spread to new communities through partner organizations planning and hosting their own educational outreach after engaging with the efforts of NDSU and SDSU. One event has been a high tunnel workshop hosted by a tribal college for 30 community members to prepare to construct 7 high tunnels on tribal lands. An additional event was a hands-on training slated for early summer of 2025 to teach participants how to cover a high tunnel and install roll-up sides. Farmer trainers who have assisted NDSU and SDSU continue to answer questions and provide high tunnel support within their own communities. Each of these efforts underscores the amplification of efforts that the SARE PDP is designed to facilitate.
High tunnel education has also garnered media coverage as follows:
https://extension.sdstate.edu/news/dakota-food-rx-and-high-tunnel-research-support-local-producers
https://www.agweek.com/crops/sdsu-looks-to-educate-a-growing-number-of-high-tunnel-enthusiasts
https://sdspecialtyproducers.org/2024/08/30/sdsu-high-tunnel-and-cut-flower-field-day-held/
The threat of a government shutdown in fall 2023 hindered the number of USDA-NRCS personnel that were able to travel to the SDSU High Tunnel Short Course as they were not allowed to travel.