by Evan Anderson | Jan 27, 2020
North Florida weather brings its ups and downs, and there are times during the winter season when the downs are low enough to trouble even cold-tolerant crops. Gardeners who wish to keep their plants growing as long as possible, or give them a head start in the spring, may want to consider installing low tunnels.
The term ‘low tunnel’ refers to a structure used for season extension that is usually made of hoops covered with some material, such as fabric or plastic. A low tunnel, as you might surmise, is low to the ground, like a miniature greenhouse that just covers the plants. They are usually no more than a few feet in height. A high tunnel, by comparison, is tall enough to walk in, but with a similar sort of construction.
These are versatile structures, which can act as more than just protection from cold. Low tunnels can be easily modified to provide extra shade for crops during the hottest months. A lighter fabric or fine mesh can also be used as protection from insect pests. Low tunnels can be constructed to stand on their own or may be integrated into a raised bed. They may even be placed inside a larger structure such as a high tunnel to offer a double layer of protection.
An example of a low tunnel using wire hoops and plastic mulch to prevent weeds. Photo credit – B M. Santos, UF / IFAS Extension
Pipe Bender for bending hoops for low tunnel systems. Image Credit Evan Anderson, UF / IFAS Extension
The cover of a low tunnel can be plastic, fabric, shade cloth, or even insect netting, depending on the needs of the crop. The hoops that hold the cover may be made of any sturdy material, such as wire, pieces of PVC, or metal electrical conduit. Hoop benders are available to help bend metal conduit to the correct shape. For more information about low tunnels, please see this EDIS publication.
by Molly Jameson | Jan 10, 2018
Every gardener should know a thing or two about farming. Join UF/IFAS Extension at the 2018 Panhandle Fruit and Vegetable Conference to not only learn about market vegetable production, fruit and nut production, and much more, but also to attend the pre-conference farm tour and listen to a speech by the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Joy Rumble, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida.
Dr. Joy Rumble, the 2018 Panhandle Fruit and Vegetable Conference Keynote Speaker.
Dr. Rumble is originally from Mount Gilead, Ohio. She earned a bachelor of science degree from The Ohio State University, majoring in animal science. During her undergraduate studies, Dr. Rumble raised livestock, worked as an intern on two large swine operations, and served as a summer intern for the USDA Farm Service Agency. She earned a master of science degree in agricultural communication and continued her education at the University of Florida, where she graduated with her doctorate in agricultural education and communication in 2013.
Dr. Rumble is now an Assistant Professor and Extension Programming Coordinator with the University of Florida. Her research focus is effective communication and raising awareness of agricultural and natural resources issues within the agricultural industry. She concentrates many of her outreach initiatives at the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (PIE Center).
At the PIE Center, Dr. Rumble strives to measure knowledge, behaviors, and perceptions of agriculture of Florida constituents and responds to the many economic, environmental, and social challenges we face within the state. She often shares her findings through the Easy as PIE webinar series to allow both the public and Florida’s policymakers to make informed decisions to preserve the assets of the state’s agricultural and natural resources. Most recently, Dr. Rumble was a speaker for an Easy as PIE webinar to discuss a statewide strategic plan for agritourism.
Dr. Rumble’s service as the UF/IFAS Extension Programming Coordinator creates improved citizen awareness of agriculture and natural resources through UF/IFAS County Extension Offices.
Dr. Rumble assisting with a UF/IFAS campus tour for Florida Senator Bill Nelson’s staff on October 18th, 2016.
Make plans to attend the 2018 Panhandle Fruit and Vegetable Conference on Tuesday, February 20, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the University of West Florida Conference Center (11000 Conference Parkway, Building 22) in Pensacola, Florida. You will learn about the importance of agricultural communication from Dr. Rumble directly, and attend conference educational tracts on North Florida Citrus Production, Fruit and Nut Production, Vegetable Production, Marketing, Food Safety, and Protected Agriculture. The conference will also provide an opportunity for networking and give you a chance to meet farmers from across our region.
Also included in the conference ticket price is the pre-conference “Buy Local” farm tour on Monday, February 19, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tour buses will start out at the University of West Florida and will make three stops, traveling to the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope, Alabama, a hydroponic vegetable farm in Daphne, Alabama, and the Allegri Farm Market, also in Daphne, Alabama.
For more information and registration visit https://pfvc2.eventbrite.com. Early bird registration is $50 (+ service fee), before February 1, 2018. Your registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments, educational materials, and transportation to the farm tour locations. We look forward to seeing you there!
