Mindy Eden is a hardworking mom of seven who is using conservation to grow deeper roots for her next generation’s success. Starting four years ago in 2021, Mindy wanted to make sure she left behind a business her daughters could take on if they choose to do so when older. “My sons are usually busy working with their dad, and I wanted to give my daughters a chance to learn the business as well,” said Mindy. Through her small-scale cut flower operation, Eden Acres, Mindy has worked with her local United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff to utilize the Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP), which can develop a foundation of conservation where she can grow her business.   

One of Mindy’s biggest priorities was purchasing a gothic-style high tunnel to prevent snow accumulation, which she was able to do through the financial assistance of EQIP. High tunnels provide unique functionality as a semi-permanent structure for season extension. Similar to a greenhouse, high tunnels use passive solar radiation to create a microclimate inside the structure, perfect for starting crops early and harvesting later in the season. High tunnels differ from a greenhouse as they are placed directly on the soil surface and use the natural soil profile to grow crops. High tunnels also provide increased protection against wind, hail, frost, drift of chemicals, and can be used as part of an integrated pest management approach. In cut flower production, these are all aspects that can be detrimental to the harvest and aesthetic of the flowers. Mindy also emphasized the importance of installing a waterline as her next priority, as irrigation and water efficiency play another vital role when growing beautiful and abundant flowers.

Eden Acres was recently showcased during a specialty crop field day event co-hosted by South Dakota State University Extension and the South Dakota Specialty Producers, with funding for the day provided by North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and an NRCS cooperative agreement. Assistant Professor and Consumer Horticulture Specialist, Kristine Lang, suggested putting together the high tunnel cover using two layers of plastic with an inflation fan in between the layers that runs all winter to keep the plastic tight. Sharing that in her experience, this method has withstood 50 miles per hour wind gusts comfortably. Inflation fans may need a solar panel or backup battery if unable to tie into electricity from a nearby structure like a shed or shop. Highlighting NRCS funding opportunities, Lang said, “If you are growing on even a small acre of land, the NRCS does have funding for urban agriculture, which essentially means small-scale agriculture. They’ve gotten some acreages with the footprint of this high tunnel.  Before qualifying for NRCS programs, you first must register that land with the Farm Service Agency.” 

One-on-one consultation to discuss conservation planning is always free, and NRCS can be contacted directly for advice before enrolling in any programs. Assistant Professor Lang continued highlighting opportunities to consider saying, “another way to work with NRCS could be rain catchment and low volume irrigation as an EQIP-funded practice.” While encouraging participants who are thinking of building a high tunnel to work with NRCS, she brought key tips to consider first, such as checking on local permits and whether the taxes on their property would be raised due to property improvements.  

Having to stay adaptable until the high tunnel is finished, some temperature-sensitive plants are covered using a low tunnel with shade cloth. Plastic on the ground can elevate the soil temperature up to 80 degrees when in direct sunlight— flowers like snap dragons (pictured) prefer to be cooler when they begin flowering. This low tunnel is secured down using railroad ties to accommodate the SD winds. Also shown between the snap dragon plants is a white netting used to provide the flowers with more stability should the wind pick up.

Motivated to offer her customers a desirable bouquet no matter what they order, variety is prioritized when planning what to grow each season. Mindy got her start in floral design and takes into consideration the focal flowers, fillers, and greenery it will take to satisfy her subscription holders. When discussing her flower varieties, she touched on the importance of not forgetting to grow filler flowers instead of focusing only on growing focal flowers. “In my mind, when I’m growing and harvesting for subscriptions, if they order a market-style bouquet, I still want them to be able to use those flowers and make a good arrangement—you can’t do that with just focal flowers or just filler flowers,” said Mindy.

Along with the high tunnel, Mindy has also implemented cover crops and crop rotation into her operation. These conservation-focused practices have allowed Mindy more time to focus on other tasks, such as homeschooling her children, as she has found these practices require less of her time in the garden, picking weeds, and managing pests. She has also saved herself time battling this year’s large grasshopper crop by utilizing her chicken tractor (pictured). During the growing season, she will place a pair of ducks inside the tractor where they will fertilize her plants, all while taking care of insects. When early-season plants have finished, a few chickens are placed inside and used to scratch the leftover plant debris into the soil. With the rear part of the structure sitting on two wheels, this unit can move up and down the four-foot rows as needed. While her chicken tractor was not funded through EQIP, it has been an asset to her operation.

Eden Acres has enrolled in the EQIP program, and there is a chance for your operation to do the same! The upcoming conservation program deadline for fiscal year 2026 is set for October 3, 2025. To learn more about this program and how it could be best utilized for your operation’s needs, contact or visit your local NRCS office. 

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