Each year when the Market moves indoors to the Bridgeport Conference Center for the winter season many folks assume that the West Virginia-grown produce season is finished. Alas, they assume wrong. You see, many West Virginia farmers have built a relatively inexpensive secret weapon that enables them to extend their growing seasons. This secret weapon is known as a high tunnel.

 

A high tunnel is essentially an unheated greenhouse. Usually constructed with a frame of either PVC or metal pipe, a high tunnel will then be covered tight with plastic sheeting. The farmer controls the heating and cooling of the tunnel manually by rolling up the plastic sheeting on the sides in order to cool the interior or rolling them down tight in order to trap heat inside.

 

Other advantages of using a high tunnel include weed control and crop protection. Due to there being no natural rainwater in the tunnel (irrigation systems provide the water in a high tunnel) weeds have a hard time growing in the areas where there are no crops. And while it may be a no-brainer, those pesky deer can’t destroy the crops in a high tunnel. At least until the time comes when they figure out how to open doors.

 

The two pictures below show a high tunnel while under construction earlier this year at BFM vendor Mountain Momma Organics. The first shows the finished pipe framing of the tunnel. The second shows the plastic sheeting pulled down tight over the top of the framing. The roll-up sides will be installed on the lower part of the framing.

 

In addition to Mountain Momma Organics, other BFM vendors that utilize high tunnels are Green Acres Farm, Mountain Hollow Farm and Whippersnapper Farm.

 

So, what can a farmer grow in a high tunnel this time of year? According to Chef Dale Hawkins you can expect to see lettuces, radishes, Asian greens, beets and carrots at the Market today and throughout most of the Winter Market season. And, believe it or not, Green Acres Farm will have tomatoes at the Market today as well. These were harvested this past week from vines that were planted under a high tunnel in April of this year. Amazingly, these plants have been producing tomatoes since June. Now that is an extended growing season!

 

High tunnels have become more common on West Virginia farms over the past five years due to the hard work of the WVU Extension Service. In particular, Dr. Lewis Jett has taken on the cause of their importance to the growth of West Virginia agriculture. You can read about Dr. Jett’s research here: http://tinyurl.com/osp7862

 

We hope to see you today at the first Winter Market of the season. We’ll be inside the Bridgeport Conference Center where they will also be serving a Market-style local foods brunch. And don’t forget the Market hours change to 11 a.m. to 2  p.m. for the winter season. The Winter Market will continue on the first Sunday of each month from now until April.

 

Until next month, Stay Fresh!

 

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Association is the five member all volunteer board of directors that governs the Bridgeport Farmers Market. It is supported by a wonderful group of community volunteers who help in the setup and maintenance of the market. For more information on the Farmers Market or to see how you can help please e-mail us at bridgeportfarmersmarket@yahoo.comor, better yet, LIKE us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. You can also check out the Market’s own YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BridgeportFarmersMkt