Using High Tunnels to Enhance Organic Vegetable Production in Florida: an Overview

Shufang Tian, Xin Zhao, Isaac R. Vincent, Tian Gong, Zachary T. Ray, Jesusa Legaspi, Alejandro Bolques, Timothy W. Coolong, and Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez

Release Date: 9/11/2023

Reviewed At: 3/19/2023

DOI: 10.32473/edis-hs1466-2023

Agriculture

Abstract

Cost-effective high tunnel systems as a protected production tool hold great potential for offering multifaceted benefits to vegetable growers in Florida beyond season extension. The adoption of high tunnels in the U.S. has been largely fueled by the NRCS High Tunnel System Initiative. Various high tunnel structures may be adapted to the Florida environment for growing high-value vegetable crops. In particular, high tunnels can help improve crop yield and quality in organic vegetable production. This article provides an overview of high tunnel structures and environment, growth of high tunnel production and the organic produce sector, major advantages of using high tunnels to enhance organic vegetable production, and challenges of high tunnel management in Florida. Some online resources for high tunnel vegetable production are provided, and future research needs are also pointed out for improving the long-term environmental and economic sustainability of high tunnel production systems.

About this Publication

This document is HS1466, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 2023. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Shufang Tian, former graduate research assistant, Horticultural Sciences Department; Xin Zhao, professor, Horticultural Sciences Department; Isaac R. Vincent, former graduate research assistant, Horticultural Sciences Department; Tian Gong, former graduate research assistant, Horticultural Sciences Department; Zachary T. Ray, graduate research assistant, Horticultural Sciences Department; Jesusa Legaspi, research entomologist, Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service; Alejandro Bolques, assistant director, cooperative Extension program, and agriculture and natural resources outreach program leader, FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences; Timothy W. Coolong, professor, UGA Department of Horticulture; and Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez, professor, UGA Department of Horticulture.

How to Cite

Tian, S., Zhao, X., Vincent, I. R., Gong, T., Ray, Z. T., Legaspi, J., Bolques, A., Coolong, T. W., & Díaz-Pérez, J. C. (2023). Using High Tunnels to Enhance Organic Vegetable Production in Florida: an Overview. EDIS, 2023(5). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-hs1466-2023

Authors

Shufang Tian

postdoc

University of Florida

research associate, (Ph.D., Horticultural Sciences, May 2022) organic high tunnel production, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL

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Xin Zhao

Contact

Specialist

University of Florida

professor, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL

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Zachary Ray

student

University of Florida

graduate research assistant, UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department, Gainesville, FL

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Alejandro Bolques

external

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

assistant director, cooperative Extension program, and program leader, agriculture and natural resources outreach, FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Tallahassee, FL

View Alejandro Bolques's Profile

Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez

professor, vegetable production and plasticulture, UGA Department of Horticulture, Athens, GA

Publication #HS1466