Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Success

Small Farmer Credits High Tunnel for Weed Control & More…

In the past few years, seasonal high tunnels have emerged as an important tool of small farmers for extending their growing season. Mary Brown of Hartly, Delaware is one example of a small farmer who is reaping the benefits of her newly constructed high tunnel.

Using funds through the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program, Brown was approved for her 2,152 sq ft structure. Brown began construction on her high tunnel in the summer of 2013 and finished construction in time for the 2014 planting season. She installed plastic mulch to control weeds, moderate soil temperature and conserve water in the plant root zone. She also installed drip irrigation, which is the most efficient method of delivering water to high tunnel crops.  

To date, she has grown raspberries, lettuce, strawberries, three types of peppers, four varieties of tomatoes, string beans, cucumbers, and butternut squash. Her future plans include growing spinach, beets, lettuce, and more tomatoes.

Brown says that she’s considers her high tunnel a success. “Unlike with my raised bed and garden plot before, the weeds took over. Now I don’t have weed problem at all with the plastic mulch and drip irrigation.” Taking care of the land is important to Brown. She takes careful steps to ensure that her small piece is properly cared for.

Since 2009, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Delaware has provided assistance to help producers construct 43 high tunnels statewide.

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