Elk County Demonstration High Tunnel
| The Elk County High Tunnel Demonstration site was started in 1999
and consists of two 12’ by 40’ tunnels. Since that time
a variety of crops have been raised including tomatoes, peppers, basil,
watermelon, cantaloupe and potatoes with tomatoes being the most profitable
crop per square foot of growing space. Transplants are planted as
early as April 9 giving more than six weeks advantage over field grown
crops in the spring. The season is also lengthened into the fall at
least an additional four weeks. Extensions in both directions allow
producers to realize higher profits as a result of supplying a market
when demand is high and available quantities are low. Disease and insect pressures are very low compared with conventional techniques allowing organic production to be a viable, income producing strategy. The reasons for this is that plant foliage is never wet. This features allows producers to tap into and get higher prices as a result of being entirely organic. Crop irrigation at the Elk County site is accomplished through
T-tape drip irrigation and a timer set up to water at least 1.5
hours per day. A fertilizer injection system is not used but fertility
is maintained through adding finished composts and fertilizers as
indicated by regular soil testing. |