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This is a type of pipeline, which is designed to transport heavy liquids or chemicals. This pipeline can be installed underground, or underground or above ground. These pipelines are used primarily for transporting liquids and chemicals, though other types of liquids can be transported using them as well.
Here Are Some Common Q&A:
What Is The Purpose Of a High Tunnel System?
High tunnels protect plants from severe weather and allow farmers to extend their growing seasons – growing earlier into the spring, later into the fall, and sometimes, year-round. And because high tunnels prevent direct rainfall from reaching plants, farmers can use precise tools like drip irrigation to efficiently deliver water and nutrients to plants. High tunnels also offer farmers a greater ability to control pests and can even protect plants from pollen and pesticide drift.
How Does a High Tunnel System Work?
High tunnels often look similar to greenhouses, but are usually only single-walled and are typically not temperature controlled. The plastic covering traps sunlight to raise temperatures inside the structure for the plants growing inside.
What Material Does a High Tunnel System Consist Of?
High tunnels (seasonal tunnel systems for crops) are enclosed polyethylene, polycarbonate (plastic), or fabric-covered structures used to cover plants to extend the growing season. High tunnels depend on the covering to raise temperatures for the plants growing inside.
What Are Some Of The Advantages Of a High Tunnel System?
Because the growing conditions are controlled, plant health is optimized. High tunnels protect plants from severe weather and allow farmers to extend their growing seasons – growing earlier into the spring, later into the fall, and sometimes, year-round. And because high tunnels prevent direct rainfall from reaching plants, farmers can use precise tools like drip irrigation to efficiently deliver water and nutrients to plants. High tunnels also offer farmers a greater ability to control pests and can even protect plants from pollen and pesticide drift.
What Are Some Of The Disadvantages Of a High Tunnel System?
- Possible disorders due to higher temperatures
- Fewer pesticides are permitted
- May need to hand pollinate or bring in pollinators
- Can be costly
- Subject to wind, snow, and rain damage
- Involves more manual labor
Are There Any Other Options For Using a High Tunnel System?
Let’s use tomatoes as an example. Growing tomatoes generates the greatest revenue per square foot and the quality of tomatoes produced in a high tunnel can be far superior to field-grown fruit. However, the increasing numbers of tunnels and early tomatoes will likely reduce the current premium on early tomatoes. Growers should look at diversification to provide a wider range of product offerings and perhaps even give tunnel soils a break from tomato crop after tomato crop.
So, do you see the problem? Here are a couple of other options to use besides a high tunnel:
Greenhouses: Superior Strength & Durability for Year-Round Growing
Tough, durable, and able to withstand even the worst of what the winter can throw at it, a true traditional greenhouse is a grow space designed for full-year operation—providing protection that often exceeds that offered by a high tunnel or hoop house.
- Built to withstand the worst of summer and winter weather
- Easy to add environmental controls
Hoop Houses: A Smaller, More Nimble High Tunnel
Often associated with backyard gardens and small-scale farms, hoop houses are actually simply a smaller sized high tunnel designed to maximize simplicity while preserving so many of the benefits offered by a high tunnel or greenhouse.
- Small enough to fit just about anywhere
- Ideal for protected growing outdoors
How Can I Get Started?
It’s good to get a basic idea of the goals of the NRCS program. The goal of the NRCS high tunnel initiative is to:
“Extend the growing season, improve plant quality and soil quality, reduce nutrient and pesticide transportation, improve air quality through reduced transportation inputs, reduce energy use by providing consumers with a local source of fresh produce.”
These will help inform you as you work through the different steps. If you keep your goals in line with their goals you will find it easier to apply for and get grants.