Tunnel farming helps South Dakota farmers extend growing season by up to 4 months

[Jilly_in_VA]

When snow covers the frozen ground, and most South Dakota farmers have sold or stored their products for the season, the operators of Cedar Creek Gardens are still able to grow vegetables and harvest a lucrative crop.

Located in a remote area southwest of Murdo, about 12 miles south of Interstate 90, the sprawling farm is one of dozens in the state that utilize what are called farm tunnels to extend the planting and growing seasons.

The tunnels are fortified above-ground hoop buildings covered in plastic that capture heat from the sun, creating a greenhouse effect. Many of the tunnels at Cedar Creek are covered with two separated layers of plastic and have fans that circulate warm air between the layers, creating even warmer growing conditions.

The tunnels differ from greenhouses in that crops are grown directly into the soil rather than in raised boxes or beds, and they are watered from the ground up instead of from above.

https://apnews.com/article/tunnel-farming-south-dakota-9dc25d75f75c3cfa98fc2fddb2d64f45

This is fantastic and could decrease our dependence on imports if adopted in more places.

[Biophilic]

1. Interesting. Thanks.

[electric_blue68]

2. Wow, this is Very Impressive!...

Some of the biggest are 30 ft wide, and 200 ft long!

Besides a whole variety of crops; some have chickens, and even cattle!

[hunter]

3. Here's a project using high tunnels in California:

Could empty lots be growing food, economic opportunity?

The vacant lots around your neighborhood could be growing fruits and vegetables and making local produce more accessible – while reducing energy needed to transport and distribute the food. Could turning those empty lots into small farms also become opportunities for economic development?

To answer this question, a team of researchers from University of California Cooperative Extension in San Diego County are investigating the economic feasibility of growing high-value specialty crops in urban settings like vacant lots. The project – led by Eric Middleton, UCCE integrated pest management advisor for San Diego, Orange and Los Angeles counties – is currently in progress at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, a seasonal attraction for locals and tourists.

-- more --

https://ucanr.edu/blog/food-blog/article/could-empty-lots-be-growing-food-economic-opportunity

I live in an agricultural community and commonly see these used for growing cane berries.

They are also used by commercial cannabis growers in many places.

[electric_blue68]

7. They'd naybe want to make those lot's soils healthier, I'd hope.

A great idea in general, though.

[Jack Valentino]

4. Ingenious! Now hope they have enough labor to harvest their crops!.............

[Ms. Toad]

5. My CSA has been tunnel farming for years. n/t

[Ilsa]

6. I've met people in N.CA who heat their swimming pools

with thick bubble wrap. They roll it out over the chilled pool in the morning after the fog clears. The water is comfortably warm enough to enjoy by early afternoon.