Autumn Birt, District Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Warren, announces Fiscal Year 2011 applications will be accepted for the establishment of high tunnels, which increase the availability of locally-grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.
This will be the second year of a three-year pilot study established under the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative. For agricultural producers qualified to participate, applications will be accepted until Sept. 1.
A seasonal high tunnel is a greenhouse-like structure, at least six feet in height, which modifies the climate inside to create more favorable growing conditions for vegetable and other specialty crops grown in the natural soil beneath it.
A limited number of applicants will be approved for funding, and those selected for funding will be eligible for a maximum area of 2178 square feet. USDA payments to enrolled participants will range from $3.75 to $4.50 per square foot.
Producers who would like to sign-up for the high tunnel pilot should visit the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center, 191 Camden Road in Warren, or call 273-2005. General program information is available on the web at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov.
