New York Farmer Uses Hanging Gutters to Utilize Overhead Space in Hoop House

Farmer and Rancher Innovations

This project looked at increasing the productivity and cost effectiveness of growing more crops in a hoop house by utilizing the overhead space. Farmer Kurt Forman, of Palmyra, N.Y., and Cornell Cooperative Extension Vegetable Specialist Robert Hadad looked at using a hanging gutter system to raise selected crops over the existing in-ground crops. They looked at cost-effective design, operation, production strategies, cost of production and profitability of such a system.

Forman’s farm is almost completely certified organic, and is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a.

About this series: Farmer and Rancher Innovations, part of the Ag Innovations series, capture the lessons learned from SARE-funded trials and demonstrations conducted primarily by farmers and ranchers.

Want more information? See the related SARE grant(s) FNE08-632, Investigation of increased productivity of a hoop house through better use of space.

Product Specs

Published: 2013

Pages: 3

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Project products are developed as part of SARE grants. They are made available with support from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed within project products do not necessarily reflect the view of the SARE program or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.