Vegetable farmers and market gardeners can learn about techniques for extending the growing season to raise crops using high tunnels during an education program and tour on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Pinney-Purdue Ag Center, Wanatah, IN. Participants may attend a morning session from 10:00 a.m. CST until 12:00 noon CST or an afternoon tour and session from 1:00 p.m. CST until 5:00 p.m. CST or they may attend both sessions. Participants may bring a lunch or purchase a sandwich on site.
A morning session will cover topics that describe the use of high tunnels, low tunnels and other means to extend the vegetable growing season including shape, size and covering materials. Costs, pros and cons of various types and setup will also be discussed. A farm couple from Ohio with several years of experience using high tunnels will share tips and clues for getting started successfully with a high tunnel.
The afternoon session will begin with a tour of the two 30’ x 48’ Rimol ‘Rolling Thunder’ high tunnels and field vegetable plantings at Pinney-Purdue. The structures are on rails so they can be moved to cover different crops in different seasons. Later, in the classroom, participants will discuss the major factors to consider for the fall-to-spring production and marketing season, especially when using low and mid-size tunnels. The Ohio farmers will share their knowledge about growing winter vegetables in high tunnels.
All are welcome to attend this program at Pinney-Purdue Ag Center, 11402 South County Line Road near Wanatah, IN. If you cannot attend the program and tour in person, you are welcome to join a live webinar for classroom portions by connecting at https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/htct/. If attending in person or from home, there is no need to register and there is no fee to participate.
For more information, contact Liz Maynard at 219-531-4200 Ext. 4206 or email emaynard@purdue.edu. You may also view a schedule at http://www.ag.purdue.edu/counties/laporte.
Certified Crop Advisers may receive up to 4.0 CEUs in Crop Management for attending these sessions. Please contact Gene Matzat, 219-324-9407 or email ematzat@purdue.edu.