High Tunnels

Blog Posts

A group of pumpkins in a row
Read article: From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Pumpkins and apples October update
From Northern Illinois (Rockford): Pumpkins and apples October update
This October has brought excellent apple harvests across many Northern Illinois orchards, with a mix of traditional, PRI, and MAIA varieties showing...
Empty rows in a high tunnel after tomato plants, stakes, and strings have been removed. Random fruit is scattered among the rows.
Read article: From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Finally transitioning from summer crops to cover crops in high tunnels
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Finally transitioning from summer crops to cover crops in high tunnels
The continued warm temperatures through October made for ideal growing conditions for the tomatoes and peppers within the high tunnels at DSAC. While...
row of tomato plants with red and green fruits inside a high tunnel
Read article: From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Late season tomato and pepper harvest
From Dixon Springs Ag Center: Late season tomato and pepper harvest
Tomato harvest has been steady but less than mid-summer for the past three weeks mainly due to a more moderate flower set and fruits ripening slower...
a high tunnel in the process of being built at the Table Farm and Workshop in Bloomington
Read article: Building the Illinois local food system economy, one high tunnel at a time
Building the Illinois local food system economy, one high tunnel at a time
In early August, local farmer Kyan Glen of The Table Farm and Workshop asked me to join a volunteer crew in assembling his new high tunnel. I...

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...