Specialty Crops

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

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.

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

This project evaluated biofumigation as a control for two broad-spectrum soil-borne diseases that each pose a severe challenge to a different emerging vegetable production system.

Extensive on-farm research evaluating the use of predator and parasitoid insects to control target pests on Solanacous crops, those grown most frequently in high tunnels in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Building Soils for Better Crops is a one-of-a-kind, practical guide to ecological soil management, now expanded and in full color.

This project compared winter production using four structures: EZ Build-n-Gro Cold Frames (Farmtek); cattle panel greenhouses; modified low tunnels; and standard small cold frames.

This Rutgers University website includes a 61-image construction demonstration and detailed information on site selection, cost and crop management.

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

This information sheet gives an overview of how to use cover crops to maintain good levels of nutrients and organic matter in the soil.

This Virginia Association for Biological Farming information sheet provides research-based information on a cover crop “toolbox” from which growers can select cover crops most suited to their regions and production systems.

Crop Rotation on Organic Farms: A Planning Manual provides an in-depth review of crop rotation, including how it improves soil quality and health and helps manage pests, diseases and weeds.

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

This project investigated the effectiveness of energy-efficient greenhouse design and the ability of water-heating solar panels to heat a greenhouse as a propane alternative.

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.

As opportunities have emerged to increase both the production and processing of elderberry across the value chain, the historically medicinal plant is gaining popularity among farmers. With the resurgence of elderberry cultivation in the North Central region and the rest of the United States, NCR-SARE has funded a variety of projects featuring elderberries.

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. 

A grassroots apple-breeding program has released its first apple variety, EverCrisp. The variety was bred by the Midwest Apple Improvement Association (MAIA), a group of more than 140 apple growers who are interested in developing new varieties for the Midwest.

This UMass Extension website offers resources on winter vegetable crop storage and marketing, as well as information on low-cost season extension, including the use of low tunnels and hoop houses.

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.

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

Dan and Bonnie Blackledge have started a canola oil business on their farm in Marion, Michigan. B & B Farms Canola Oil’s first pressing was only about 50 gallons, but it stands out as the first canola oil grown and pressed in Michigan.

A 90-minute webinar presented by NCR SARE, Michigan State University, Purdue University and the University of Illinois on Nov. 13, 2008.

An idle greenhouse sparks a new idea.

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

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

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

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

Temperature management is one of the most critical factors in successful production of many high tunnel crops. This West Virginia University fact sheet includes recommended temperature ranges for common crops.

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

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

This 20-minute video, produced by the University of Vermont Extension, features farmer Mike Collins taking viewers through each step of the grafting process.

How to Manage the Blue Orchard Bee explains how to use this alternative pollinator successfully, including nesting, rearing and wintering, how to manage predators, and more. Available only online.

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.

Managing Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook for Beekeepers, Growers and Conservationists is a first-of-its-kind, step-by-step, full-color guide for rearing and managing bumble bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees and other bee species that provide pollination alternatives to the rapidly declining honey bee.

Managing Cover Crops Profitably explores how and why cover crops work and provides all the information needed to build cover crops into any farming operation.

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.

These fact sheets discuss alternative containers, marketing and crop selection, alternatives to synthetic herbicides and integrated pest management in nurseries.

This 2007 Research and Education Grant, awarded to Cornell University, studied the use of predatory insects, resistant varieties and microbial fungicides.

This project looked at increasing the productivity and cost effectiveness of growing more crops in a hoop house by utilizing the overhead space.

Five certified organic farms in the Kansas City area did one-year comparisons of the use of compost, fertigation and foliar feeding on high tunnel tomatoes, with respect to quantity and quality of yields.

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.

A replicated, systems-level comparison study was carried out to evaluate the production of the popular heirloom tomato, Cherokee Purple, under organically managed high tunnel and open field systems.

The objective of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of growing blackberries organically within a high tunnel structure in central West Virginia, including pest management, cultivar and management considerations.

Colorado State University researchers and five farmers explored winter production scheduling for optimal yields of hardy organic vegetable crops in unheated high tunnels.

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

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

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.

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.

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

This information sheet captures research by Virginia Tech and the Virginia Association for Biological Farming to develop cover crop-based, reduced-tillage systems for organic vegetable production.

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.

A Lincoln University researcher is training extension educators on emerging plant grafting technology and the relevant physiology.

Order an entire set of SARE Outreach books and bulletins for one low price.

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.

Don't know a hoop house from a greenhouse? Learn the basic ABCs of season extension.

Learn more about providing adequate fertility to crops being grown in hoop houses, greenhouses and other season extension structures.

Information on budgeting, financial analysis, business planning and marketing strategies for a season extension enterprise.

Information on how to handle pests and disease in the special growing environment of a hoop house, greenhouse or other season extension method.

Learn how to build a variety of season extension structures, and discover construction techniques for specialized features.

These resources can help you determine which crops will be best suited to your season extension goals and growing conditions.

Irrigation is an important part of growing with season extension structures, where natural moisture is not readily available.

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

A 12-page guide to producing these gourmet mushrooms.

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.

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

Dr. Ray Weil and Natalie Lounsbury have been investigating the possibility of no-till planting early spring vegetables such as spinach and lettuce after a forage radish cover crop without the use of herbicides. They discuss soil moisture, temperature and nutrient status in early spring as well as seedling emergence and yield.

This three-year study involved five innovative farmers in building high tunnels to investigate best practices in high-tunnel construction, tomato production and factors influencing profitability.

A blended course designed for county extension agents and new greenhouse professionals. Participants in the course will enhance their knowledge of starting and operating a commercial greenhouse enterprise.

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

The purpose of this book is to critically evaluate the phenomenon of compost tea from three general perspectives: growers, researchers and industry. By integrating these perspectives into a cumulative experience, the authors hope to improve the understanding of the potential and limitations of this technology from scientific, economic and practical points of view.

Understanding a crop's temperature requirements is the key to high tunnel management. This Utah State University fact sheet spells out temperature considerations and how these are best addressed using high tunnels and other season-extending technologies.

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.

Hailing from small vegetable farms, cattle ranches and grain farms covering thousands of acres, the producers in The New American Farmer, 2nd edition have embraced new sustainable approaches to agriculture.

The Organic Seed Grower is a comprehensive manual for the serious vegetable grower who is interested in growing high-quality seeds using organic farming practices.

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.

According to researchers, training sheep to have a food aversion is a simple process. However, there are important steps to follow to improve the strength of the aversion. This fact sheet describes the aversion training process.

According to researchers, training sheep to have a food aversion is a simple process. However, there are important steps to follow to improve the strength of the aversion. This fact sheet describes how to find the correct dose of LiCl for the aversion training process.

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.

This project was designed as a demonstration project to determine if the strawberry harvest season could be extended, potentially allowing farmers to get their strawberries to the market early for premium prices.

This information sheet describes research in Virginia on using inexpensive, manually operated seeders to establish consistent cover crop stands.

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

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.

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.

To help farmers in the Philadelphia area learn about various winter storage options, the nonprofit Fair Food conducted site visits of well-established winter storage operations in Pennsylvania, Vermont and Quebec.