These workshops may be of interest to those of you in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.  Contact Jessica if you have any questions:

Sign up now! Hoophouse workshops starting in May

Did you apply for NRCS cost-share assistance this year? Or are you just thinking about constructing a hoophouse? Whether you are just beginning or an experienced farmer, the Detroit-Wayne County Seasonal High Tunnel Educational Initiative will bring you workshops and technical assistance to help with hoophouse installation, management, and crop production.  The workshop series kicks off in May, with two great events:

Workshop #1:
WARM-SEASON PRODUCTION - May 10th
1-5pm @Earthworks Urban Farm, Detroit
This workshop will help you use a hoophouse to your greatest advantage for a diverse range of popular summer crops. Whether you are currently making decisions about planting schedules, crop selection, and choosing transplants, or thinking ahead about how to manage the summer's heat, this event will provide expert guidance to help you make the best decisions for your farm. Register now!

Workshop #2:
ANATOMY OF A HOOPHOUSE - May 19th
6-9pm @Oakland Ave. Community Garden and Farm, Detroit
Thinking of building a hoophouse, but overwhelmed by the choices? Concerned about how to plan your structure to suit your production needs? Unsure of how to maintain your hoophouse over time? This workshop will answer all of those questions and more, no matter if you are at the planning stages and wondering what to do next, or a seasoned farmer looking for expert repair strategies. Register now!

More throughout the Summer of 2014:
We have plenty more activities planned from June through August, and will be offering other opportunities:

• One-on-one technical assistance from experts,
• More classroom and hands-on training,
• A demonstration build, and
• Tours of successful farms.

All local producers are invited to participate in the educational programs free of charge, but first registration preference will be given to producers in Detroit and Wayne County.

Calling all USDA-NRCS cost-share participants:
We recognize that many readers are either currently involved in an EQIP contract or may have just applied. With so many participants working to put up seasonal high tunnels in Detroit and Wayne County in a relatively short time frame, we are particularly trying to reach out to those producers and to offer technical assistance. If you are an EQIP participant or applicant, please consider filling out our survey, so that we can learn a little more about how best to help you.

Please note that participation in the workshop series has no bearing on whether a producer will or will not be funded through the recent Detroit-Wayne County USDA NRCS EQIP cost-share program for seasonal high tunnels. Want to learn more about USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service programs for farmers? Contact: Steve Olds - (734) 761-8789 x3 or [log in to unmask].