Examine the practicality of using high tunnels on a rotational basis to increase sustainability on a small acreage.

Examine the practicality of using high tunnels on a rotational basis to increase sustainability on a small acreage.

Summary

• High Tunnels in Place
  Chickens moved 3 times
  Only 1 night of below freezing temps recorded in Tunnel w/chickens
  Overall improvement of soil, with Nitrogen and Organic matter up

Objectives/Performance Targets

• Heat retention goal for High tunnels and plants improved
  Unexpected improvement on retention of chickens from predators
  Failure of low tunnels with spun row cover

Accomplishments/Milestones

• Produce available for opening market day for 1st time: Lettuce, Chard, herbs
  Cutting of wind damage gave plants opportunity to mature quickly and looked much healthier.
  Soil took much less working, and produced nearly 50% more in plot 1.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

• More hands the better when covering high tunnels in Kansas
  Plastic tunnel broke down chicken manure more effectually than the uncovered tunnel.
  PVC low tunnel was unsuccessful, pipe bender added to rebuild
  Although difficult to document, the overall impression was of less grasshopper damage.