SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College and the University of Illinois Extension will host a high tunnel production workshop — a farming method that can extend the growing season.
The free program is 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, in the Workforce Careers Center. Registrations are
now being accepted.
Working toward a thriving year-round local food system, experienced Illinois growers will demonstrate how high tunnels or unheated greenhouses can be used to extend the growing season and establish a more controlled growing environment.
Workshop participants will learn the following:
- How high tunnels are being used by farmers to connect with their markets.
- Provide a more balanced income.
- Contribute to a healthy, vibrant community throughout the year.
Topics covered in the workshop include:
- Needs, approach and practical instruction for getting started
- Sowing and equipment
- Harvesting
- Marketing and economics
- Pest and disease management
- Record-keeping
- Lessons learned
Participants will tour the fixed and V-track movable high tunnels being used for winter production on the LLCC campus.
The demand for local food in winter continues to rise significantly each year. According to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, there were more than 1,200 winter farmers markets operating across the country in 2011. This was almost a 38 percent increase from the year before.
The winter markets help keep the community engaged in local food year-round. It increases profits for farmers and gives consumers the opportunity to build their local economy.
Results from the USDA’s National Farmers Market Manager Survey indicate that farmers markets operating more than seven months per year have higher monthly sales than their strictly seasonal counterparts.
For more information on the workshop, contact Marnie Record at [email protected] or 217-786-4993.
To register for the event, go to www.llcc.edu/workforce and look for training opportunities.
