by Vince Fritz. Presented at the 2012 MN Statewide High Tunnel Conference.

1. Our Statewide High Tunnel Inventory
Location Tunnel (s) Accessories Project (s) Proj. Duration
Crookston 2-26 x 48
1-30x48
Tomato heirloom trials
Rasberries, Blackberries,
1-available?
1 - early 2013
1-30x72 Blueberries, 1 – 2012
Honeyberries 1 – long term
Fruit trees
Staples 1-20 x 48 Vegetable Nutrient
Leaching
2012
Gr. Rapids 2 – 21x48 Raspberries
Blackberries
??
Waseca 2-30x48 Double Poly Roof
Thermostatic power
Ginger Shading
Ginger Fertility and
Through 2013
side vents Double Cropping
Rosemount 2-30x48 Double Poly Roof
Thermostatic power
Ginger Fertility
Aframomum Propagation
Through 2013
side vents
Lamberton 3-30x48 Organic Cover cropping and
fertility in organic
Through 2012
production
Morris 1-30x48 Raspberries Through 2011

2. Key Elements of SCBGF Proposal
Three Key Elements
-Plant Disease Diagnostics
subsidize sample submission leading to refined disease
management systems for high tunnel producers
-Establishment of a blog and improved web site
a strong community of learning
-Best management strategies for temperature modification
(heating and cooling) using mulches, shade clothes, row covers, etc.

3. Producer Needs and Priorities
Research Needs (as defined by growers):
-Plant Nutrition Guidelines for HT Production (vs. field production)
- Focus efforts on “off the shelf” tunnel systems
- Crop Rotation Strategies*
- Succession, Relay, and Intercropping within HT
- Day Neutral Strawberries – shading and irrigation cooling *
- Use of shade cloth ***
- Cover crops for biofumigation
- Use of mulches; do they warm the soil in a high tunnel?***
Grower Issues (not a research need):
-Disease and Pest ID ** -Web Page**
- Trellis Systems for Tomatoes -High Tunnel Manual
- Strawberry Tissue Testing -Product Nutritional Testing
- Asian Lady Beetles -High Tunnel Blog**
- Root Grafting Workshop