Specialty Crops

Brad Jaeckel tested a diversity of winter and summer vegetables that can be grown in unheated hoophouses. A handful of Moscow, Idaho, area growers have used hoophoses for season extension, but not yet for winter crops.

Resources for farmers interested in on-farm winter storage options. Each resource offers a case study for a specific facility design, and both outline important considerations for a winter storage facility.

A University of Massachusetts web page with information on integrated pest management (IPM), a practical way to effectively manage pests on vegetable bedding plants.

Transitioning to Organic Production lays out many promising conversion strategies, covering typical organic farming production practices, innovative marketing ideas and federal standards for certified organic crop production.

Researchers around the world have demonstrated that grafting—the fusing of a scion (young shoot) onto a resistant rootstock—can protect plants against a variety of soil-borne fungal, bacterial, viral and nematode diseases invarious climates and conditions.

Extension agents in two states are helping farmers cash in on sweet potatoes: in Kentucky, by diversifying to include the high-value specialty crop, and in Mississippi, by pursuing organic production.

A 16-page guidebook covering all aspects of sweetpotato production in Kentucky.

Utah State University fact sheet series includes raspberries, lettuce, summer squash, tomatoes and strawberries.

As producers throughout the nation grow increasingly concerned about water scarcity, farmers, ranchers and agricultural educators are beginning to explore new, conservation-oriented approaches to water use.

A 12-page guide to producing these gourmet mushrooms.

This 70-page guide outlines profitable production techniques and research on everbearing strawberry varieties.

By testing a moveable hoop house that slides on rails, this project has the potential to extend the growing season to as many as 250 days, nearly double the current average of 140 days. Markets for the fruit and vegetables at new seasonal points will allow for greater production and profit.

Cornell University Extension Vegetable Specialist Christine Hoepting is helping onion growers improve yields and save money through her research in conservation tillage, mulches, planting techniques and soil fertility.

This farmer project assessed whether greenhouse crops can be raised in hoop structures heated by livestock's body heat and manure compost.

This Iowa State University video/fact sheet describes how to build a system to catch, store and reuse the rainwater for irrigation in a high tunnel.

Beach plum (Prunus maritima Marsh) is one of several shrubby plums native to North America. The jams produced from this fruit command premium prices at farm stands and specialty markets, even in comparison with jam made from other locally grown fruit. However, the wild-collected supply of fruit does not meet this niche market’s demand.

A presentation of research on biological control methods in New York, including cultural practices, plant resistance, grafting, rotations, sprays and beneficials.

A publication to foster recognition of the Appalachia region and encourage preservation of heirloom seed varieties.

This video presents information on the high tunnel production system most commonly used in Kentucky; the disease cycle of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; and two control tactics compatible with national organic standards, solarization and biofumigation.

In Kingsville, MO, a perennial and native seed crop producer has been developing and processing energy crops and agricultural residues into biomass engineered fiber fuel, and now he and other producers in MO could help determine the future of cellulosicbased biofuels.

Journal article discussing research trials involving day-neutral cultivars, high tunnels, low tunnels and targeted heating in North Logan, Utah, to extend the availability of local strawberries.

Includes case studies, a supplier list and chapters on marketing, site selection, construction and types, and soil, pest and environmental management.

Audio/slideshow presentation by Lewis Jett, West Virginia Extension Service, on the use of high tunnels for winter crop production.

Hour-long webinar on design, summer and winter production, economics and needed research related to high tunnels.

An in-depth manual designed to help greenhouse growers implement biological control and integrated pest management (IPM).

This presentation summarizes a 2008 grant to evaluate ‘Maxifort’ rootstock for its ability to manage verticillium wilt and other soil-borne diseases.

Learn about tomato grafting and how it can be used to manage diseases in organic open-field and high tunnel systems.

An idle greenhouse sparks a new idea.

Faced with rising costs and foreign competition, a group of apple growers launched a cooperative direct marketing effort for their sustainably raised fruit.

These in-depth training manuals, produced by the University of California Santa Cruz, help instructors conduct hands-on teaching in organic farming and gardening, direct marketing, and small-farm business planning.

The primary short-term goal of this graduate student grant project was to test a strategy for utilization of  native plants to increase biodiversity in a perennial fruit system. This project is of particular relevance to specialty crop farmers that are under pressure to reduce pesticide inputs while also producing the highest quality food. 

Funded in 2005 through the Farmer Rancher Grant Program, Pov Huns’ high tunnel project, “Can Screened High Tunnels Extend the Growing Season of Bitter Melon in the Midwest?” (FNC05-551) aimed to determine whether pest control and season extension could make a tropical vegetable such as bitter melon protable by using a high tunnel on his Kansas City farm.

Detailed information on high tunnel construction, with specific considerations for West Virginia.

Specs, diagrams and photos of high tunnel construction, by Utah State University Cooperative Extension.

This presentation presents an overview of key pest management topics: cultural practices, plant resistance, the use of beneficial insects, grafting and sprays.

In Minnesota, Mhonpaj Lee, NCR-SARE Farmer Rancher grant recipient, is researching and documenting information about traditional Hmong herbs. In addition to her job as a translator at Hennepin County Medical Center, Lee farms with her family. They are currently offering shares from the first certified organic Hmong owned and operated Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operation.

A 17-chapter manual covering a wide range of high tunnel production topics. For purchase only.