What are high tunnels?

High tunnels are unheated greenhouses that can help commercial farmers extend their growing season in order to improve the profitability and productivity of their farms.

High tunnels are also an integral part of local food production systems in many parts of the United States. They aid fruit and vegetable crop production by extending the cropping season, providing protection from the elements (wind, storms, heat, etc.), and result in a more-stable production system that poses less risk of crop failure (hightunnels.org).

For more information about high tunnel construction, use, and Jacobsen lab research at UK, please watch these videos:

Why do we use moveable tunnels at the UK High Tunnel Research Facility?

Throughout the season, these high tunnel structures can move from one plot to the next, allowing for greater flexibility in crop rotation as well as more opportunity to incorporate cover cropping into our system. Another reason we are experimenting with moveable tunnels is to avoid disease and insect pressure and to prevent soil salinity accumulation from heavily used soil amendments.   

For more information on Movable High Tunnels, please read our extension fact sheet HERE.

 Where is the UK High Tunnel Research Facility located?

The UK High Tunnel Research Facility is located on the University of Kentucky Horticulture Research Farm in southern Lexington, Kentucky off of Man O' War Boulevard.