Season Extension Technology for Small and Medium Scale Farms: Economic and Environmental Impacts

Using “Hoop Houses” farmers can provide consumers with fresh, local produce all year round!

Michigan’s short growing season poses a barrier for the development of local food systems. As many crops are not available locally for much of the year, they must be imported from distant places. Importing foods burns fossil fuels, decreases food freshness and leaks money out of local economies that might be captured by local businesses. However, an extended growing season enables consumers to stay in the habit of buying locally. Equally as important, farmers can expand both the total number of market days and types of crops available beyond the typical growing season.

This project will attempt to answer the following questions. Are hoop houses economically viable for small and medium scale farms? Are they good for the environment?

The economic viability of hoop houses will be measured in two ways. First, we will measure the costs and revenues associated with growing in the hoop houses over two years, creating enterprise budgets for each of the nine farms. Second, we will measure consumer demand for extended season products, and begin to determine the critical mass of farmers and products needed to sustain out-of-season markets.

We will also interview the farmers’ to gather their experiences, their lessons learned and the challenges they faced in adopting this technology. Finally, we will compare the energy used in growing produce in hoop houses in Michigan versus growing in and importing them from warmer climates.

For more information, contact David Conner, Project Director, connerd@msu.edu, (517) 353-1914

The project is a partnership between the C.S. Mott Group, MSU Extension, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, the Sweetwater Local Foods Market in Muskegon and nine Michigan family farms.

Partners:

David Conner, Mike Hamm, C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU

Elaine Brown, Adam Montri, Michigan Food and Farming Systems

John Biernbaum, MSU Department of Horticulture

MSU Student Organic Farm

Mike Score (Washtenaw County) and Jim Lucas (Chippewa County), MSU Extension

Chris Bedford, Sweetwater Local Foods Market

Plus nine Michigan family farms: three each from the Southeastern and Western Michigan, and the Upper Peninsula

Handouts for Hoop House Use

    Farmer Tips (with pictures)

    Farmer Tips (no pictures)

Funding was supported by the National Research Initiative of the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, grant number 2006-55618-16922

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