MISSISSIPPI STATE – Operators of small- to medium-sized farms wanting to learn more about a technique to extend the growing season are invited to attend the High Tunnel Field Day offered by Mississippi State University.

The field day begins at 9 a.m. March 10 and concludes at 4:30 p.m. at MSU’s Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs. Registration for the trade show and field day is $15 before March 1 and $25 after that date. Lunch will be provided.

Participants will have the opportunity to examine high tunnel production on this Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station facility and visit with vendors.

Nearly 300 people attended the field day in 2010, the first time it was held.

“High tunnel greenhouse production is a centuries-old technique that is gaining popularity in Mississippi and across the country,” said Mengmeng Gu, event coordinator and ornamental horticulture specialist with the MSU Extension Service. “Traditional greenhouse materials are used to construct an unheated tunnel for vegetable and other horticulture crop production. The structure’s unique design provides a warm environment by capturing and retaining solar heat so plants can thrive beyond the normal production window.”

Topics for the field day include high tunnel construction, marketing, MSU high tunnel research findings and organic certification. Three growers will discuss their experiences with using high tunnels, and a representative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Resource Conservation Service will give information about a cost-share program available to growers.

The high tunnel field day is a collaborative effort between MSU and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. For more information, contact Gu at (662) 325-1682 or [email protected]. A list of high tunnel suppliers and related high tunnel information can be found at MSUcares.com.