tunnel vision

A High Tunnel Raising by Beth Hauptle | photos by Joe Pellegrino

When you hear the saying “Many hands make light work,” you might think of community cleanups, food drives, or barn raisings. In a twist on the traditional barn raising, RAFI-USA recently cohosted a high tunnel raising at Fairport Farms in Kittrell, NC.

It all started when Elvin Eaton of Fairport Farms was on a call with RAFI-USA’s Jaimie McGirt about working with the NRCS. Knowing his need for a high tunnel and his admiration of market gardener and tunnel expert Howard Allen of Faithfull Farms, Jaimie introduced the two producers.

As Howard mentored Elvin through the process of selecting a caterpillar tunnel kit conducive to Fairport Farm’s operation, it was clear the construction of the tunnel could be a unique learning opportunity for other beginning farmers. Elvin’s idea of a tunnel-raising was born: The Eatons would purchase the tunnel kit, Howard would captain the tunnel-raising crew, and RAFI-USA would help promote it as a farmer brigade to members of its Farmers of Color Network

Members of the Farmers of Color Network have participated in this kind of brigade in the past, and like other times, the turnout was great. On February 27, 2023 31 volunteers arrived, ready and eager to help and learn, and in nearly ten hours, the high tunnel was ready.

Elvin had been wanting a high tunnel for several years. High tunnels — also known as hoop houses or polytunnels — help farmers by protecting crops from harsh weather conditions and creating a more optimal micro-climate for extending the growing season in both directions. Because of the extended growing season, farmers are able to produce a wider variety of crops, leading to increased productivity and pro tability. High tunnels are an increasingly popular piece of infrastructure for small farmers trying to improve their produce quality and competitive advantage in seasonal marketplaces.

When the growing season can be extended, farmers are able to produce a wider variety of crops and the need to transport food from other regions is reduced. Additionally, the controlled environment can help reduce pests and diseases, thus making organic and regenerative practices easier to adopt. This ultimately leads to improved soil and water quality. When best management practices like drip irrigation, mulching, intercropping, and covercropping are applied, high tunnels conserve water. By producing in high tunnels, farmers are highly productive in smaller areas and likely reducing tillage of open acreage. Natural resource conservation is a by product of well-managed high tunnel production, not only improving crop health, but livelihood across the farm landscape.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP VOLUNTEERS WORK together to ensure the high tunnel frame is even.

Usda Eqip Program

High tunnel systems are growing in popularity. Farmers can apply for financial assistance to obtain one through USDA’s NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). RAFI-USA is currently working on a Cooperative Agreement with the NRCS, and as a part of that work, we are providing technical assistance so that farmers, particularly farmers of color, can take advantage of conservation programs that provide cost-share opportunities for particular practices like High Tunnel Systems.

Challenging Corporate Power

RAFI-USA’s Challenging Corporate Power Program has two main goals. First, we advocate for policies that limit the abusive power of big companies in the meat industry by enforcing stronger regulations and antitrust laws. This will protect farmers, workers, and citizens from unfair practices by big corporations. Second, we advocate for policies that will build inclusive and ecologically sustainable regional food economies in which farmers and their communities share equitably in profits and benefits of the food system they create together.

In 2023, the program is working on four campaigns to achieve these goals. First, we are pushing Congress and USDA to ban unfair contract payment systems for poultry and cattle farmers, either through new laws or rules. Second, we are advocating for investments in local meat processing businesses and reforms to the government’s meat purchasing. Our third campaign is pushing for new antitrust laws and rules that will make it harder for big corporations to dominate the industry. Finally, we are gathering a network of people to partner with us in developing ideas for how to make a just transition to a more democratic and sustainable food system.

Come to the Table

Come to the Table’s is one of RAFI-USA’s longest standing programs and has a mission to empower faith communities to participate in the creation of a just food system. The Farm & Faith Partnerships Project was created to support partnerships between faith communities and farmers from RAFI-USA’s Farmers of Color Network. We are excited to support faith communities that are passionate about investing in self-sustaining, mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with farmers of color. We believe that these partnerships will build congregational capacity and increase a church’s ability to partner with other community-based organizations and local farmers.

RAFI-USA is currently supporting partnerships for more than 20 faith communities and 12 farmers of color. These partnerships usually take the form of congregants signing up for community supported agriculture (CSA) shares. RAFI-USA supports the organizing faith community as they offer their spaces as packing and distribution sites for the produce shares. This opportunity increases market access for farmers and provides a meaningful way for faith communities to strengthen their local food system.

If you are a farmer interested in connecting with faith communities, please contact Jarred White (jarred@rafiusa.org, 919.548.4730) for more information. Or scan the QR code to watch a video about the program.