ByJill Stankiewicz
High tunnels, also known as hoop
houses, help urban farmers to produce more food. Penn State Extension in Philadelphia County
in cooperation with the Department of Horticulture has established a High
Tunnel Alliance in the City of Philadelphia with 10 partnership community based
agencies. The tunnels are funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture,
and the alliance supports Philadelphia’s urban farms committed to increasing
food security. Their simple yet effective design, basically a plastic-covered
greenhouse, helps to insulate crops against low temperatures in the spring and
fall. This extends the growing season
for many crops and adds more control to the growing environment which helps
reduce pesticide use and retain the soil’s nutrients.
Heritage Farm at Methodist Home
is an active member of the High Tunnel Alliance. Heritage Farm was established in 2011 to
support the 200 children and adults affiliated with the campus. Heritage Farm is in the process of executing
its plans for a complete food growing operation, cut flower Community
Sustainable Agriculture program, and community kitchen. The addition of Heritage Farm to the
Methodist Home campus will help to foster healthy eating and lifestyles among
its residents while providing opportunities to build work skills. Clients and residents will also be invited to
take classes on vegetable and fruit growing, children’s gardening, and food preparation
and nutrition.
Interested in creating your own
high tunnel? Help may be available from
the USDA. Please visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/?&cid=stelprdb1046250
for more information.
Our Extension office has been integral to the
process of Alliance building, since its inception about 3 years ago, and has been
a steward from concept/design to construction and use. As this shape shifting
has taken place, Master Gardeners have begun the process of volunteering at
these sites, first with Overbrook Environmental Center and next hopefully with
Methodist Homes. Want to help with this
initiative? Please contact Kim at phillymgcoordinator@gmail.com.
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