High tunnels are used by many vegetable farmers to extend the growing season. A high tunnel is a greenhouse-like structure that allows producers to start planting earlier in the spring and grow later into the fall. These structures are very beneficial in Garrett County with our colder climate and short growing season. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has funding available through EQIP to purchase and construct tunnels. The funding will cover the cost of the tunnel and construction costs. Farmers can construct their own tunnels at a considerable cost savings. In April, the University of Maryland offered a hands-on high tunnel construction workshop. Attendees learned about the basic parts and construction of a high tunnel with both classroom and hands-on high tunnel construction. A second high tunnel construction workshop is being planned for late July. Even if you don’t think you would build your own tunnel, the workshops are valuable for planning, and learning about the construction and future maintenance of the structure.
If you would be interested in attending a high tunnel workshop please call the Garrett County Extension Office at 301-334-6960. If you are interested in funding through NRCS contact them at 301-501-5886.
