The project is part of the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative. Interested participants can apply for this through the regular Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Environmental Quality Incentive Program Organic Initiative.

This pilot is being launched to study whether or not high tunnels are effective in reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending the growing season, increasing yields and providing other benefits to growers.

A high tunnel is a greenhouse-like structure, at least 6 feet in height, made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with plastic sheeting. High tunnels are used year-round in parts of the U.S., providing a steady income to farmers – a significant advantage to small farms, limited-resource farmers and organic producers.

Through this pilot, farmers can receive cost-share on one high tunnel per farm up to a maximum size of 2,178 square feet. The states participating in this pilot study include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Pacific Islands, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Contact: Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1016 for more information.