High Tunnel Workshop

High Tunnel Workshop

Three workshops will be held to help extension staff, county horticulturists, local food coordinators, industry representatives and growers learn to manage common challenges in high tunnels while also discussing new advances in high tunnel production.

Topics to be covered include soil management, tomato grafting, insect management and environmental control. A visit to a working high tunnel is also part of the workshop.

“Participants will learn how to protect the health of soil in a high tunnel so that it stays productive over the long term,” said Joe Hannan, commercial horticulture specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

The all-day classes will be held April 6 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Henry County office in Mt. Pleasant, April 10 at the North Iowa Fairgrounds’ 4-H Learning Center in Mason City and April 13 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Cass County office in Atlantic.

Ajay Nair, assistant professor of horticulture and extension vegetable production specialist, will lead the workshops along with Hannan and Lina Rodriguez-Salamanca, pathologist with the Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic clinic.

Sign-in begins at 8 a.m. on the day of the workshop with classes running from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is no cost for the workshop, but registration is required as space is limited. Register at: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/vegetablelab/high-tunnel-workshops-address-common-challenges.

Additionally, copies of the ISU Extension and Outreach publication “Iowa High Tunnel Fruit and Vegetable Production Manual” (HORT 3060) will be given to all who have not previously attended a high tunnel workshop.

Other resources to check out:

High Tunnel eCourse

Midwest Vegetable Production Guide

Recommended Tomato Varieties for Commercial Growers

Cover Crops in Vegetable Production Systems

Iowa State University Vegetable Lab

ISU Value-Added Ag’s High Tunnel Information