High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, extend growing seasons for small producers. Growers like Racha Her of Beyond Bokchoy Farm in Fresno have been using conventional hoop houses for many years, but the construction is complicated and unstable under inclement weather. The California Natural Resources Conservation Service has invested $4.4 million from the 2014 Farm Bill into sturdier high tunnel construction for small growers. Her and local NRCS Soil Conservationist Sam Vang explain how the tunnels help growers and why it’s become popular.
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