Gardeners and growers in five Central West Virginia
counties now have free access to a tool that bends
metal conduit for season extending low tunnels
Free plans for affordable low and high tunnels, season extension information and Quick Hoops Low Tunnel Benders are now available through the West Virginia University Extension offices in Clay, Calhoun, Gilmer, Roane and Wirt counties thanks to funding made available through West Virginia Farm to School Community Development Group.
The Low Tunnel Benders available will bend ½ inch to 1 inch thick metal conduit pipe into 40" tall arches perfect for a row cover over 5 foot wide beds. With the low tunnel plans available, growers can build a sturdy, long-lasting low tunnel to extend their growing season from early spring into October, even possibly year round.
With low tunnels and other season extension methods like low tunnels, gardeners and growers can extend and stagger the harvest of most crops, improve quality, protect against many insects and increase garden yields. Most important, season extension can help spread the work load over a longer season, resulting in less stress and burnout in the summer heat, and more enjoyable farming in pleasant weather.
In addition, for a very low investment, growers can increase your garden yields and increase your garden revenue by meeting the demand for healthy, local foods. Growers can serve and sell to a wider variety of markets, like schools and early and late season farmer's markets. Most growers who have incorporated season extension methods in their gardens are amazed at how much income they can make from these inexpensive structures and methods.
The Low Tunnel benders are available in the county offices for growers to use on site, at no charge. These benders typically cost around $60, and are often only needed once or twice. By having the benders available for public use in each county, the WV Farm to School Development Group hopes more growers will invest in season extension methods to provide local foods to local schools.
For more information on season extension methods; free plans for affordable high and low tunnels, or to make use of the Low Tunnel Benders available for free use, contact your local WVU Extension Service offices in Clay, Calhoun, Gilmer, Roane or Wirt counties. You can also contact the Mid-Ohio Valley Farm to School Coordinator at 304-927-0975 or email MOVfarmtoschool@gmail.com
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