High Tunnels Boost Yields in Cold Climate Farms

By Blake Jackson

At Wild Work Farm in Keene Valley, short growing seasons present a major challenge, with frost lingering into mid-June and returning by September.

Owner Lissa Goldstein relies on region-specific research from Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station’s Willsboro Research Farm to navigate these conditions.

Northern New York falls into colder USDA hardiness zones 4-5, compared to warmer regions like the Hudson Valley in zones 6-7.

“Any research that’s specific to this region, to our growing season, is really helpful, because we’re very different from the rest of New York State,” Goldstein said.

“The people that work at Willsboro, they are very intimately aware of what the farmers in the area are doing and what we’re focused on. So they’re able to tailor the research so that it is relevant to us.”

A key innovation helping growers is the use of high tunnels unheated, plastic-covered structures that create warmer growing conditions.

According to researchers, these tunnels can simulate environments one to two hardiness zones warmer and boost yields significantly.

Over two decades, studies have shown production inside tunnels can be up to four times higher than outdoor fields.

“We have these research farms in different regions across the state because conditions are different, farmers’ needs and interests are different, and we’re trying to support the farming communities as best we can to succeed and be profitable,” said Mike Davis manager of Willsboro Research Farm.

Despite their benefits, high tunnels also present challenges, including pest management and soil health concerns.

“The same warm, dry conditions that allow plants to thrive in tunnels also allow pests to thrive,” said Elisabeth Hodgdon North Country vegetable specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension.

“The season extension that the high tunnels give us is really important, but the tunnels are also very important in protecting the plants from bad weather and disease,” Jenna Mulbury, co-owner and operator of Northern Orchard farm in Peru said.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-johnbraid