News Release Distributed 09/23/10
A workshop on year-round commercial vegetable and cut-flower production using high tunnels has been set for Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center in Baton Rouge.
“High tunnels – or hoop houses – are unheated greenhouses that can help market gardeners extend their growing season so that they can improve the profitability of their farms,” said Carl Motsenbocker, an LSU AgCenter horticulturist.
The workshop will be presented by the Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program, a joint program of the LSU AgCenter and Southern University Ag Center.
The workshop will be led by Paul Wiediger, a partner in Au Natural Farm, of Smiths Grove, Ky. “Paul and his wife, Allison, specialize in growing gourmet-quality mesclun and leaf lettuces and oriental and other specialty salad greens in unheated high tunnels from November to April as well as tomatoes in field production and high tunnels,” Motsenbocker said.
The workshop will feature an introduction to high tunnels and presentations on drip irrigation, salad greens production in cool weather and extending the season with high tunnels for warm-season crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers and cut flowers, Motsenbocker said. Other topics will include dealing with insects, weeds and diseases in high tunnels, managing for maximum profits and an approach to direct marketing.
In addition, personnel from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service state office will present information on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The USDA NRCS administers grants through EQIP for the purchase of high tunnels.
“Preregistration is required for all who would like to attend because we have limited seating and capacity for the workshop,” Motsenbocker said. The $30 per person registration fee includes lunch, and reservations must be completed by Nov. 1.
“We have a limited number of scholarships available to county agents and other agricultural professionals,” Motsenbocker said. They are required to preregister, and those who qualify for scholarships will be reimbursed.
Additional information and registration forms are available from Motsenbocker at 225-578-1036 or cmotsenbocker@agcenter.lsu.edu or Bobby Williams at 225-578-1037 or rwilliams@agcenter.lsu.edu.
Burden Center is located on Essen Lane at I-10 in Baton Rouge.
Rick Bogren