Conferences
Collaborative Framework to Improve High Tunnel and Local Food Production in West Virginia
Brandy Brabham
Summary
To increase the productivity and risk management of West Virginia specialty crop producers, West Virginia University Extension Service (WVUES) partnered with National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide accelerated training to NRCS staff, state conservation agency staff, state Department of Agriculture staff and WVUES county faculty; thus, improving the sustainability of high tunnel production. Data from a 2019 survey of Mid-Atlantic NRCS state offices show that West Virginia has had 222 EQIP High Tunnel contracts since the inception of the practice in 2009. This survey by Penn State also estimated total high tunnels within each Mid-Atlantic state, with West Virginia reporting 850.
These high tunnels increase the year-round local food production capacity in West Virginia. Improving the technical ability of agricultural service providers in West Virginia increased the profitability of the specialty crop growers, improved soil health within the tunnels, and improved water resources management in a changing climate.
The specific objectives of the program were to develop six workshops per year. Three in the North and three in the south, combined with high tunnel field days developed by county faculty over the two-year period. Next, the program established two demonstration high tunnels. One tunnel in the North with a novel irrigation system added with rain gutters connected to the tunnel, a water tank and irrigation pumping system. In the south area, a tunnel with historic drainage issues, wet saturated soils, will have drainage features added.
Presentation Materials
Details
| Conference | 2024 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference |
| Presentation Type | Poster |