USDA Financial Assistance Available to Michigan Producers for High Tunnels
Financial assistance for seasonal high tunnels is available to Michigan producers who apply by Feb. 9, 2024.
EAST LANSING, Jan. 4, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making financial assistance available for Michigan agricultural producers to purchase seasonal high tunnels, often referred to as hoop houses. The assistance is available to Michigan producers statewide who want to start or expand high tunnel production.
Financial assistance is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. High tunnels must be purchased as manufactured kits and financial assistance is provided at a set amount per square foot. Higher payment rates are available to historically underserved producers.
High tunnels protect plants from severe weather and allow farmers to extend their growing season, growing earlier into the spring, and later into the fall or winter. This funding initiative also includes financial assistance for practices supporting high tunnel production such as mulching, irrigation systems, subsurface drainage, critical area planting, and others.
How to Apply
The application cut-off for producers in Michigan is Feb. 9, 2024. Applications can be submitted at the producer’s local USDA Service Center.