More information on High-Tunnel Hoop Houses

Hoop House greenhouses are steel framed greenhouses that use a cover of poly lining. Unlike traditional greenhouses, high-tunnels are not as material intensive in that they do not require raised beds, or expensive start-up costs. The produce will be grown directly in the existing ground with soil amendments. High-tunnel greenhouses have been used worldwide and have proven extremely productive. This is due to high-tunnels ability to regulate temperature. The tunnels are 12’ in the center, hence the name. The walls of the tunnels can be opened for ventilation in the warmer months.

In addition to giving the farmer control over the temperature, the greenhouses offer isolation from the various elements that plague conventional agriculture. The sealed houses protect from insects, other pests and diseases. They also protect from precipitation, which allows the farmers to control the water input of the crops. The hoop houses used on Real Food Farm will be 17’ wide by 148’ long.

Real Food Farm will place twenty of these hoop houses in an under-utilized section of Clifton Park -- 18 production tunnels, one processing and packaging tunnel, and one dedicated to education and training.