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THE IMPACT OF A DECADE OF HIGH TUNNEL WORKSHOPS BY EXTENSION IN THE GREAT PLAINS

Extension Education

James Quinn
FIELD SPECIALIST IN HORTICULTURE
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION
JEFFERSON CITY

Abstract

\r\n    Assessing economic impact of Midwest and Great Plains horticulture programs is difficult, especially compared to dominant agriculture industries like livestock and row crops. The long term success of a workshop focused on horticulture crops grown in high tunnels provided an evaluation opportunity. Started in 2003, this workshop has consistently drawn over 100, and occurs with the Great Plains Growers Conference. This conference is organized by Extension of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota and held annually in early January at St. Joseph, MO. Its first year was 1996 and it now attracts about 700. The survey focused on two areas, estimating the investment, revenue and profitability associated with high tunnels, followed by assessing the usefulness of the production, business, and marketing information provided. It was 4 pages and 21 questions. The survey pool of farms was less than expected. Farms were often represented by more than one family member and many individuals attended multiple years.  The final mailing was to 491 operations, as follows by state- IA (52), KS (136), MO (233), NE (60, and SD (10). Preliminary results from 71 responses were as follows- 58% of workshop attendees went on to purchase their first or another high tunnel, the average size was 2400 square feet requiring a $5950 investment, 49% reported high tunnels were more profitable than their typical farm investment, the average gross sales for 1,000 square foot was $2700, and annual input cost divided by gross sales was 40%. Complete results will be provided.

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: J. T. Quinn, T. R. Fowler, P. A. Hudson
  1. Quinn, J. Regional Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 65101
  2. Fowler, T. Regional Horticulture Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 64507
  3. Hudson, P. Database Programmer and Analyst, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 65211