Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative
This study evaluated the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative, or HTI, that the USDA expects to strengthen local and regional food production by increasing the availability of fresh, locally grown food. Goals of the HTI inc...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems
2017-08-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/530 |
| _version_ | 1797708227999170560 |
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| author | Analena B. Bruce James R. Farmer Elizabeth T. Maynard Julia C. D. Valliant |
| author_facet | Analena B. Bruce James R. Farmer Elizabeth T. Maynard Julia C. D. Valliant |
| author_sort | Analena B. Bruce |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study evaluated the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative, or HTI, that the USDA expects to strengthen local and regional food production by increasing the availability of fresh, locally grown food. Goals of the HTI include improved plant and soil quality, reduced nutrient and pesticide runoff, and increased availability of fresh vegetables and fruits for local food markets. This study explored the farm-level impacts of production via high tunnels among Indiana farmers relying on the infrastructure. We identify characteristics of farmers who have obtained high tunnels through the cost-share program, to better understand the types of farm enterprises that are using the HTI to date and the effects that high tunnel implementation may have on their farms’ economic success and contributions to locally sourced food systems. Overall, results indicate that high tunnel users are able to extend the growing season, improve their farm’s economic stability, and increase the quality and yield of their crops. Our survey also finds that those farmers who have self-funded all or a portion of their high tunnels report greater increases in their farm’s economic stability from investing in high tunnels than farmers relying on the NRCS funds for their high tunnels. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T06:19:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f3f377489f574162a652967047009ea9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2152-0801 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T06:19:17Z |
| publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
| publisher | Lyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food Systems |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development |
| spelling | doaj.art-f3f377489f574162a652967047009ea92023-09-03T02:24:30ZengLyson Center for Civic Agriculture and Food SystemsJournal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development2152-08012017-08-017310.5304/jafscd.2017.073.012530Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel InitiativeAnalena B. Bruce0James R. Farmer1Elizabeth T. Maynard2Julia C. D. Valliant3Indiana UniversityIndiana UniversityPurdue UniversityIndiana UniversityThis study evaluated the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative, or HTI, that the USDA expects to strengthen local and regional food production by increasing the availability of fresh, locally grown food. Goals of the HTI include improved plant and soil quality, reduced nutrient and pesticide runoff, and increased availability of fresh vegetables and fruits for local food markets. This study explored the farm-level impacts of production via high tunnels among Indiana farmers relying on the infrastructure. We identify characteristics of farmers who have obtained high tunnels through the cost-share program, to better understand the types of farm enterprises that are using the HTI to date and the effects that high tunnel implementation may have on their farms’ economic success and contributions to locally sourced food systems. Overall, results indicate that high tunnel users are able to extend the growing season, improve their farm’s economic stability, and increase the quality and yield of their crops. Our survey also finds that those farmers who have self-funded all or a portion of their high tunnels report greater increases in their farm’s economic stability from investing in high tunnels than farmers relying on the NRCS funds for their high tunnels.https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/530High TunnelsHoophousesHigh Tunnel Initia-tiveEnvironmental Quality Incentives ProgramLocal Food SystemsSmall Farms |
| spellingShingle | Analena B. Bruce James R. Farmer Elizabeth T. Maynard Julia C. D. Valliant Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development High Tunnels Hoophouses High Tunnel Initia-tive Environmental Quality Incentives Program Local Food Systems Small Farms |
| title | Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative |
| title_full | Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative |
| title_short | Assessing the Impact of the EQIP High Tunnel Initiative |
| title_sort | assessing the impact of the eqip high tunnel initiative |
| topic | High Tunnels Hoophouses High Tunnel Initia-tive Environmental Quality Incentives Program Local Food Systems Small Farms |
| url | https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org/index.php/fsj/article/view/530 |
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