A High Tunnel System, also known as a “hoop house”, is a popular conservation practice for farmers that can extend the growing season, improve plant and soil quality, reduce nutrient use, pollen and pesticide drift, reduce energy use, and improve air quality. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to help producers and landowners make conservation improvements on their greenhouses.
The NRCS EQIP High Tunnel Initiative is a government program where qualifying farmers receive grants to extend the growing season for high value crops in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel systems provide year-round protection from severe weather and address issues of food access, nutrition, education, conservation, and economic development.
Organic EQIP through the NRCS has high tunnels as an eligible practice, with cost share reimbursement of about 92% after building. High tunnels may look like greenhouses but are managed differently, with plants grown directly in the ground. The USDA provides homeownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income rural Americans through several loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs.
To install a high tunnel, the first step is to develop a conservation plan with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The USDA offers technical and financial assistance to help producers and landowners make conservation improvements on their greenhouse projects.
📹 #homesteading101 : How to find EASY farming grants//USDA grants
WELCOME TO THE COLLAB! Ever wanted to learn how to apply for USDA and other agricultural grants!? Join me on this video to …
Do greenhouses make money?
In order to ascertain the profitability of a greenhouse operation, it is essential to calculate the cost of production, which can be classified into two categories: indirect and direct costs. This enables the profitability of the crop production process to be determined.
What are the disadvantages of high tunnel greenhouses?
High tunnel farming systems can be beneficial for both professional farmers and backyard gardeners, but they have drawbacks such as strong winds, potential damage from pets or birds, and the need for frequent cover replacements. Condensation build-up can also harm plants if not installed properly. Choosing the right system can significantly impact crop yield and ecosystem health. Understanding the benefits and downsides of high tunnel and greenhouse farming systems is crucial for making an informed decision.
Who qualifies for tunnel to towers?
The Gold Star Family Home Program is a program for U. S. Military Service Members who have been killed in combat or during authorized training. The program considers the unique circumstances of each family, including the service member’s death, the surviving child(ren), the age of the surviving child(ren), the marriage of the service member and surviving parent, the surviving parent’s current status, and the family’s financial parameters. Priority is given to applicants whose nuclear family with the service member has remained unchanged since the death. For more information, contact donationsupport@t2t. org.
How deep does an underground greenhouse need to be?
The Walipini, a rectangular hole in the ground 6-8 inches deep covered by plastic sheeting, is a popular method for growing crops in cold climates. Unlike traditional greenhouses, which are expensive to construct and heat during winter, underground greenhouses offer a more affordable and effective year-round option. Originating in the cold mountainous regions of South America, the Walipini allows growers to maintain a productive garden 365 days a year, even in the coldest climates. The key principles in building a successful Walipini include locating the growing area underground and capturing and storing daytime solar radiation.
What are the disadvantages of greenhouse farming?
Greenhouse farming has its drawbacks, including high production costs, lack of natural pollination, potential special permits, high disease pressure, and a high knowledge level. However, with unpredictable weather, many growers are utilizing greenhouse structures to grow crops and raise animals. When combined with farm management software, these structures offer a scalable solution for sustainable food production, regardless of weather conditions. This guide aims to help farm enterprises manage and scale their agricultural production using covered greenhouse structures, including hoop houses, poly tunnels, shade structures, and screen houses.
Can you use a high tunnel as a greenhouse?
High tunnel greenhouses offer several benefits, including ventilation without a dedicated system, lower costs for construction and operation, in-ground growing, protection from hail, wind, frost, excessive precipitation, and pest pressure, and a more consistent growing environment for plants. They can accommodate in-ground growing, protect seedlings before they are moved into outdoor rows, and provide protection from hail, wind, frost, excessive precipitation, and pest pressure.
In contrast, greenhouses provide a more consistent growing environment for plants, often equipped with climate control and greater insulation values. They can be used year-round if equipped with heating and cooling equipment, offer more protection from the elements due to their complete enclosure and polycarbonate panels or glass, have a solid foundation for growing systems and benches, allow for more plant options, and provide efficient pest management due to the secure enclosure of the space. Overall, high tunnel greenhouses offer a variety of benefits for both indoor and outdoor gardening.
How much will NRCS pay for high tunnel?
The maximum financial assistance level for installing a high tunnel system in 2022 is $8, 229, with historically under-served producers receiving a maximum of $9, 871.
What not to grow in a greenhouse?
Greenhouses are ideal for gardeners as they provide controlled environments that extend growing seasons and protect plants from harsh weather. However, not all plants thrive in enclosed spaces. Some common mistakes to avoid include large trees and shrubs, which can outgrow containers and damage structures. Invasive plants, such as mint or certain ivy species, can quickly overtake other plants and become difficult to eradicate once established in a greenhouse.
To avoid these issues, it is recommended to reserve your greenhouse for compact or easily pruned plants. Additionally, plants with high temperature requirements, such as long-lived perennials, should be kept outside for easier control. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can save time, effort, and disappointment in your greenhouse gardening endeavors.
How to start a greenhouse business?
Starting a greenhouse business can be a lucrative venture, especially with the global greenhouse horticulture market expanding rapidly. The market value reached $28. 3 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $48. 3 billion by 2028. With demand for fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs increasing, greenhouse operations can be a viable full-time business or profitable side hustle for entrepreneurs and gardeners.
However, launching a profitable greenhouse business requires careful planning, preparation, and hard work. This comprehensive guide provides aspiring greenhouse entrepreneurs and growers with a complete overview of the critical steps and considerations for starting a successful and lucrative business.
Is it worth getting a greenhouse?
A greenhouse allows you to create your own microclimate, controlling the temperature and humidity you expose your plants to. This adaptable growing environment is perfect for growing vegetables all year long, cultivating exotic plants, or starting seedlings early in the season. With a greenhouse, you can stay ahead of the game, regardless of the weather. Growing new plants from seed is cheaper than buying established plants, saving you hundreds of pounds on garden refreshment.
A greenhouse also allows you to experiment with new varieties at a low cost, and makes propagating cuttings a breeze for friends or neighbors. Overall, a greenhouse provides a flexible and cost-effective way to grow and maintain your garden.
What are the requirements for NRCS high tunnel?
The high tunnel system is not subject to a maximum size limit; however, a practice payment cap for NRCS financial assistance is based on a structure measuring 30 feet by 72 feet and a minimum height of 6 feet at the peak.
📹 How I’m buying farmland with a USDA loan
I used to think you had to buy land for all cash in this country. I was wrong! I’m using a USDA loan to secure this farmland in …
Hello thank you for the information. I had wondered if they had stopped the grants or started them up again. I think when the pandemic started or in the middle of it they had stopped. Good to see that there are up and going again. That will help alot of people to get land.God bless stay safe and have a wonderful day
I was honestly looking for a startup grant or loan even. I have years experience growing fruit trees and vegetables but my dream is to start multiple fruit orchards and probably have a large chicken house to sell to local residents as well. I already have a few trees but I just don’t have enough funding to create a profitable operation.
My wife and I bought land in the Philippines and we would love to buy more land there for farming and we already know what to harvest plus we found an area where our crops will flourish beautifully. All we need is the grant to make our dream come to a reality but no in the USA? I forgot to mention that I’m a 100% service connected veteran with P&T.
Thanks Cayce for the reminder! I know there’s something for veterans and your article sparked that reminder for me to look into that. We currently don’t have a homestead, as we can’t find anything we want in our budget/location. However, I need to look at those grants so I have an idea of what’s out there for the future. So thank you for that article!!!!
You can also qualify for USDA loans for residential homeowners. The only stipulation is that the house is in a “rural” area, but that can often be as simple as being 1 foot outside of the “City Limits” in the suburbs. Zoning is the #1 issue, but there are many programs to help home/land owners and the legal definition for a “farm” is quite simple and easy to qualify for. Where there’s a Will, there’s a Way!
New subscriber! This is amazing and you’re right not many talk about this!! I grew up around farms. I have been adding to have one but just don’t know where to start. Now more than ever, since my husband was talking about how there are so many farms being turned into housing, it’s like a fire’s been lit. I need to farm lol. I’m in an apartment now and have small plants out, growing veggies! Thank you for your sharing! I will be on the newsletter too!!!
You’re awesome ☺Your new project is a perfect idea and it’s just what is needed in this country and around the world. I just subscribed to your newsletter. I’ll definitely be following your progress; and saving my money for a down payment for the purchase of my own land in the Pacific Northwest. Thank you so much. 🤗
i’m in the same boat. i have a meeting tomorrow to start an apprenticeship for this season and transition into farm ownership for 2025. ownership includes all farm equipment and leased properties, greenhouse logs, mailing lists. I’m very excited and willing to take this risk for the biscuit LOL. good luck to you girl <3 i wish you nothing but the best. I used to work for the USDA if you have any questions please let me know!!
What was your 3 year experience required for you to purchase through USDA Direct Farm Ownership Loan. People it is not as easy as she is making this to get farm ownership loans. FSA does not require bank statements either. Please go to your local FSA office and sit down with a loan officer and get the full requirements so that you won’t get upset when you get the information from the agency.
Hope you’re still making it work.! Have you looked into farm co-ops? Locals buy into your farm and you provide weekly falrm goods; vegies, etc. It is very hard work, but you seem determined and have a tough girl attitude. I applaud your spirit. Farming in upstate N.Y. is not easy. (aka. Short seasons). Keep going
I think you have the right approach by focusing on agriculture and the health of the planet. I think we need more small farms and less big operations with unhealthy practices. I am gardening in an urban area. I want to grow all of my own food. But, this is a desert climate. When I water, the plants grow, but the dry weather and heat is a challenge. Gardening is a learning process. One must figure out the right techniques to use for the particular area the garden or farm is in.
Interesting on the last part. I am looking for land and I want to do the same thing. An ecosystem with a large pond, bird feeders, specific fish in the pond, and plants along the edge to attract animals. Eventually, bring wild deer through feed also. Highly efficient home with a greenhouse also. Goodluck to you.
A local bank will give you a land loan, usually 50% of the value, and in some cased offer a bridge style loan for contruction if you qualify. They a standard GSE (Fannie/Freddie) can take out teh land and brisge loans based on the value of the competed project. There are some lenders that can do those all in one loan, and if strucured correctly, there will not be a need for MIP as with the USDA loan.A conventional loan with not be available on a income earning rural/farm purchase. USDA loans are provided by the USDA, local banks, and through select mortgage brokers. Check around and see how all are priced.
Oh yea, HRH/USDA loans are great. You can even buy a house in the suburbs as long its far enough away from certain metropolitan areas. Dont quote me on this. But in Mi higan I think you could be 30-50 miles from the center of Detroit and qualify. So this would be Lake Orion and the surrounding area. Please let me know of I am mistaken.
Don’t listen to anyone with negative words to say….just show them how wrong they are. I love this! I’ve got another website on my little farm, and while I grew up on a farm, I never had land of my own til the last 5 years. I’ve put a tiny home (idk if 1150+ sq ft actually qualifies as “tiny”) on it, and am almost ready to move in with my 3 giant dogs and my chickens, lol! I’ve raised and shown dairy goats and horses (and my dogs!!) in the past so I’ll be getting some goats to milk and maybe another horse or two sometime in the future, I went full on city for 10 or so years but I’m ready to get back to my country living. Milking goats and making cheese and soaps and lotions is sooo much fun!! It’s been a little different than what I expected, and I did buy an unfinished home bc it’s way more affordable (and I trust my dad the electrician and my contractor friend more than I do one of those manufactured quickly homes that have problems in a year or two down the road—no thanks!!) so I wasn’t able to just jump in there. Also have to worry about water—the well comes in this next month—and the septic. Then, if you’ve got a lot of trees like I did, you have to pay someone to get rid of enough for you to use the land and have a place for the pad for your house. I didn’t go with a concrete foundation, not sure if I regret it yet or not lol, but my baby brother is a concrete foreman and he’s been putting concrete under my house on the outer edges, when he’s done there will be 6-8 “mini pads” that will keep it from settling into the sand for many years.
I just discovered your website today with this article. Hooray for you! Buy some land, make it home. But, isn’t that the American Dream? Isn’t that why people used to come to the USA? It is funny how you mention, the government is lazy and if you make their job easier for them they throw you a bone. You are so funny, and young. It has been over a year since you made this article and I hope along the way your understanding of how our government is supposed to work has matured. When our government is at its best it should be incentivizing citizens to live their dream, not creating it for them. Your government was never supposed to do everything for the citizens. When it starts doing that it begins to believe it should set limits on what dreams you should be allowed and not allowed to have. I hope your dreams are coming true!
Sounds like you’re doing sustainable agriculture that’s a noble cause 💯 % wish you the best of luck w your journey. the first thing I would do is get a perk test(for septic) for the area where the home might go. even if it’s a temporary residence. also check with the local Electric utility that serves that parcel and ask them approximately how much would cost to extend service to where you want. where I live it’s about $250 per linear foot. The seller may have looked into these things in the past but I would get your information from current and third party sources. 😎 🚜 🐄 🥦
This is before you were born but Matthew Lesko is an American author and infomercial figure who is known for his books and infomercials about getting money from the US government. This guy was always on late night infommercials and talk shows promoting his book on money you could get from the government from all their programs.
I LOVE the native American Turquoise jewelry you wear!!! Such a good vibe producer!!!! They are the ones that very early on listened to the land to treat it right. I LOVE that you represent that in wearing their pieces!!!!!!!!! Love you also!!!! If I were only 20 years younger!!!!!!! LOL But that’s how it goes right??? LOL I LOVE what you’re doing and teaching. We need to keep big farmers out of our land. They are owned by bad folks. REALLY BAD FOLKS!!!!!! AND not American!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you were successful in your land acquisition. My research on USDA loans revealed requirements of three years of recent farming experience and average to above average credit score to receive a zero down loan with up to a 40 year term and interest capped at 5%. Your program sounds different. I would love to get your thoughts on this. Thanks and best of luck to you.
@AlexandraFasuloBiz I’ve been planning to do something like this for awhile.. I learned about this during the pandemic about the USDA rural loans… I just don’t have all the money.. but I’ve been following you for years and I’m so inspired by your hustle.. I’m trying to put your hustle model into practice.. thank you!! I believe all of what you have talked about is true – there are so many ways to make money.. there is some hard work you have to put into it.. but it’s worth it.. I love your transition into this from the writing hustle.
It’s too hard to tell for sure from this article, but the first thing I thought when looking at the field over your right shoulder is those tall plants with the white flowers look suspiciously like poison hemlock. If they are, be very, very careful how you deal with them. Extremely poisonous. I had to eradicate some on our land. I never actually touched them, but used my tractor to dig them out, and still suffered. Breathing the pollen from the flowers I think. Nasty stuff.
Thank you for sharing my dear! Beautiful being and I can’t wait to see what unfolds. Simple is always the best. And when you need help meditate and go with in. Remember everything is alive! It’s all reacting with and towards us. The land will guide you, especially if you ask what the land needs and wants. Book: Nature as Teacher-Viktor Schauberger
I’m deaf so I depend largely on the captioning that’s on this article. Did you say $25 down or $2,500 down or $25k down? Yeah, sometimes it’s a hit or miss with captioning! I’m in Kansas and I think we get milder winters than y’all in NY. I lived in Rochester, NY in the late 1990’s while attending RIT.
I looked into this and to qualify for a usda loan your yearly salary can’t be more than a percent of other peoples salaries in the area… me and my gf make too much to qualify for a piece of land we could afford….and we aren’t even considered middle class… I think the usda loan is designed for people who don’t make a lot of money
This something I would love doing in the near future. What I would is some ezgrow pods some sort of hydroponic automated growing. Water, I would love to collect it or create it using an atmospheric generator. Power, should be close to all elements, sun, water, wind. Saw that there was a magnetic power supply in prototype state. Building on land I would love to be permaculture. I would love for it to be some sort of sacred geometry. Also using bio veda builds. Not sure if that type of builds are allowed in that area. That falls in the category of “earth ship” tech. Of course this is all “theory” take any of this as informational or entertainment purposes.
The reality is, almost nobody qualifies for USDA loans, it’s designed that way. You have to have a good paying job but make almost no money, you have to be a minority and tick a bunch of other boxes. The majority of money made available by the farm bill is evaporated by agencies that have zero to do with farming. So there’s not much money left for loans and grants. Not to discourage anyone, but in order to get a USDA loan you have to be denied by a major bank which means you have to jump through A LOT of hoops by giving them ALL your financial and personal details just to be denied. USDA land loans also come with natural resource easements which drastically limit what you can do. This is not easy money or an easy process. Don’t be fooled by this article.
Normally buying vacant land is not a good investment but in this case it might well be. One thing that you can do with it is what they call a 1031 exchange with the I.R.S, So it gives you the opportunity to buy a similar value piece of property.Maybe even it even it might have a house on it and you can defer all sales and property taxes. Dave Ramsey has a brand new book dedicated all things real estate
This sounds great. Where is this at? Here in California farmers are leaving the business due to water and butcher shortage and electricity cost. I also think the government is forcing the green agenda 2030 so less carbon, AI driven. Oh and also insurance which u must have. All you need is a fire and drought, they call it a climate crisis then tax you so much you can’t afford it anymore or the insurance company leave the state.
Sounds like a huge hassle and not worth the trouble just to get yourself more in debt. Unless you are getting 6,000 acres, have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend on farm equipment, animals, feed, overhead costs, liability insurance, vets…it’s just not worth having. I rather have my boss get stuck with collections, repos, and such…I just grow my cows on the property for free lol.
Your about to jump into a world of pain and suffering 😂 just wait till you got to spend $500k on a tractor and equipment of your planning to farm along with the sanctuary and not to mention how are you going to supply your feed and supply your fertilizers. There is a lot to think about so good luck. And believe me I know I dealt with stuff like this for 8 years hydroponics and aeroponics green houses are my specialty.