High Tunnels

Blog Posts

Hundreds of white dimples on clear plastic stretched over a high tunnel caused by the impact of hail.
Read article: Extreme weather events: What to do when hail strikes
Extreme weather events: What to do when hail strikes
On the night of March 4, a severe storm system came through southern Illinois which consisted of high winds, hail, and very heavy rain. That system...
clear plastic tightly covering rows of plants inside a high tunnel
Read article: From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Solarization started for overwintering cover crops
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Solarization started for overwintering cover crops
After the success of solarizing cover crops last year in our high tunnel, we will be covering all the beds with clear plastic mulch to achieve...
green seedlings next to black plastic irrigation tape growing in soil
Read article: From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Late seeded cover crops catching up in high tunnel
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Late seeded cover crops catching up in high tunnel
Two of the three high tunnels are completely cleaned out and have been winterized. The other tunnel has been seeded and is overwintering cover crops...
gray plastic container stacked on top of each other filled with red ripe tomatoes
Read article: Review of yields and gross sales for high tunnel tomato and pepper crops in 2025
Review of yields and gross sales for high tunnel tomato and pepper crops in 2025
Yield data is collected every year from crops grown within the high tunnels at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center in southern Illinois. Plots are...

News Releases

Bronwyn Aly and Kacie Athey in high tunnel
High tunnels extend growing season and benefit farming operations
SIMPSON, Ill. - More Illinois specialty crop growers are planting in high tunnels to extend their growing season, increase crop diversity, achieve higher yields, and improve quality. However, high tunnels come with unique challenges, including deciding on the layout and structural design, which...