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Unheated Hoophouses for Year-Round Production

On July 24, MIFFS hired Adam Montri as project manager for the MIFFS Hoophouse Project with Michigan State University. A total of nine farms have been identified throughout the state as hoophouse construction sites, with three being located in the Upper Peninsula, three near Muskegon, and three located in the Southwest region.

With funding provided from a National Research Initiative grant, Montri will collaborate with these nine farmers and the MSU Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation, and Resource Studies (CARRS); and the MSU Department of Horticulture to identify a strategy whereby small- and medium-scale farmers can realize greater profitability and sustainability through extended-season direct marketing and year-round production.

In addition, this project will attempt to understand the economic advantages of low-capital season extension technologies, the environmental benefits of local food production, the possibilities of farmer cohorts producing in tandem and customer acceptance of extended season markets. In collaboration with the farmers, Montri conducted three different three-day, on-site training sessions where construction was completed and basic use of hoophouses for year-round production was discussed.

For more information, please contact Adam Montri at admontri@anr.msu.edu or (517) 432-3381.

Resources:

1. Hoophouse Build at Ten Hens Farm (Part 1)
2. Planting Schedule for Year-Round Production
3. High Tunnels: Using Low-Cost Technology to Increase Yields, Improve Quality and Extend the Season - produced by Regional Farm and Food Project and Cornell University