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Freshly cut 'Red Impression' tulips
come from the high-tunnel structure
at the Armstrong Research Farm.
View a slideshow of this project
Summer 2009 newsletter article about findings
How can high-tunnel structures be used to extend the growing season? Can they be managed for production of high-value crops that will result in profits for growers?
Those were the questions the Leopold Center Marketing and Food Systems Initiative wanted to answer in a multi-disciplinary grant in 2008 and 2009.
The ISU Horticulture Department and ISU Value Added Agriculture Program (VAAP) grew and monitored the production of raspberries, blackberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, colored peppers, pole beans and Greek oregano to establish production budgets and methodology used to maximize production efficiency. High-tunnel facilities at the ISU Armstrong Research Demonstration Farm near Lewis and the ISU Horticulture Research Farm near Ames were used during both years of the project.
The project also developed a preliminary feasibility review of three market distribution models, highlighting the advantages and constraints associated with each. Four producer workshops were held to distribute production and feasibility findings and to discuss producer marketing strategies.
The goal of this project was to help determine how the industry could work with new and traditional farming operations to meet the growing demand for local and regional foods.
Beginning in 2009, investigators began work on a second phase of the project, development of an intensive training course for producers and related materials.
April 2009 The research team planted tulip bulbs in the high-tunnel structure at the Armstrong Research Farm. The bulbs were planted in the winter months, to be ready in time for Easter. More in a news release from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
2009 project summaries
Summaries of project findings are included in
these fact sheets, published by ISU Research Farms:
2008 project summaries
Summaries of project findings are included in
these fact sheets, published by ISU Research Farms:
For more information, contact the project
investigator, Ray Hansen, Value Added Agriculture Programs, Iowa State
University, (515) 294-3890,
hansenr@iastate.edu |
