PIKETON, Ohio — Ohio State University South Centers will host a three-day high tunnel training April 28-30 on basic and advanced high tunnel techniques including production and usage.
Work with experts
The training, which is for farmers and educators, will allow participants to work on a one-on-one basis with horticulture experts from around the region, said Brad Bergefurd, an Ohio State University Extension horticulturist.
“In the past we’ve offered basic introduction to high tunnels, but this is much more in-depth training for producers that have some previous experience,” he said.
Participants will be able to travel to area greenhouse operations to see what other growers are doing with their high tunnels and speak with regional specialists who will discuss advanced high tunnel production.
The workshop is limited to about 40 people and requires participants apply to attend. The application deadline is April 14. The application can be found online at http://go.osu.edu/hightunnel. Participants will be notified of their selection by April 18.
Dates and events
Topics to be discussed will include:
• April 28, High tunnel facility tour including OSU South Centers Piketon, Weber Farms in Jackson, Zimmerman Farms in Hillsboro, and Rainsboro Produce in Rainsboro, Ohio.
The event will also include a lunch discussion on high tunnel tomato training and a pruning demonstration.
• April 29, Basic high tunnel training including high tunnel basic techniques; integrated pest management in high tunnels; crop physiology and nutritional aspects of high tunnel production; petiole sap analysis demonstration; high tunnel greens and berry production; and high tunnel basics.
• April 30, Advanced high tunnel training including advanced techniques on integrated pest management in high tunnels; crop physiology and nutritional aspects of high tunnel production; tomato grafting demonstration and exercise; high tunnel greens and berry production; and irrigation and fertigation.
For more information on the workshop or to register, contact Charissa McGlothin at 740-289-2071, Ext. 132, or email mcglothin.4@osu.edu.
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I want to start tunnel farming how can I start
Here are some good resources:
On getting started with strawberries: http://www.slideshare.net/UMNfruit/strawberry-high-tunnels-final (and on the right hand side of that Slide Share presentation, there are links to other high tunnel information.)
Good information from Purdue University re tunnels and other season extension options:
https://ag.purdue.edu/hla/fruitveg/Pages/ExtensionTechniques.aspx
Budget information (link should be .pdf):
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw/downloads/47156.pdf
And a high tunnel homepage from Cornell:
http://www.hort.cornell.edu/hightunnel/index.html
Check with the land grant university in the state where you live; they should offer some great resources. Hope this helps!