Organic Farm Uses Federal Conservation Program to Install High Tunnel and Micro-Irrigation

High tunnels, also known as hoop houses are plastic covered structures with no heating or cooling systems that are used to cover plants to extend the growing season Full screen view

This micro-irrigation system delivers a slow trickle of water to crops grown on Wellington Herbs and Spices Farm. Funding assistance was provided through the USDA-NRCS Agricultural Management Assistance program Full screen view

November 30, 2011

Twelve years ago retirees Frederick and Carolyn Wellington were looking for a new challenge and they decided to try farming in Schoharie, New York. Over the years they invested in and expanded their diversified farm operation, Wellington Herbs and Spices. Recently they worked with USDA-NRCS to protect water resources and save energy on their farm through the installation of a seasonal high tunnel and a micro-irrigation water management system. Financial and technical assistance was provided by NRCS through a Farm Bill conservation program known as Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA).

“The Wellington’s worked with us to develop a conservation plan for their 13 acre organic vegetable and herb farm,” said Tom Lacko, NRCS District Conservationist for Schoharie and Schenectady Counties. “By helping them build a high tunnel hoop house and a micro-irrigation system, they’ve been able to use less water and grow more produce using less energy.”

Seasonal high tunnels or hoop houses are a plastic covered structure with no heating or cooling systems. The high tunnels cover plants and extend the growing season. They are easy to build and can be moved around covering different crops that are grown directly in the ground. Unlike greenhouses, seasonal high tunnels use natural sunlight for heat - saving money and energy.

“At a time when we would normally be winding down our season, Swiss chard is thriving in the hoop house and we are planting spinach and beets to sell at indoor farmers markets this fall and winter,” said Frederick Wellington. “Next year we hope to harvest our first crop at the end of March instead of when we usually start harvesting in July.”

The installed micro-irrigation system delivered water directly to the plant root zone through a low pressure trickle. This method of watering saves thousands of gallons of water. “Watering was something we spent a lot of time on in the past,” said Wellington. “Now we just open a valve on our irrigation system. We’ve even been able to broaden our vegetable production.”

With offices in nearly every county in the United States, NRCS works with private landowners and communities on energy, soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife concerns. Conservation programs are voluntary and they provide financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers. If you are interested in how you can protect natural resources on your farm or forestland, please contact your county NRCS office.