by Frank Taylor
The Mississippi State Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service introduced the seasonal high tunnel initiative in 2009 as a three-year pilot program. A ‘high tunnel’ is a large cold-frame hoop house or greenhouse which is usually unheated. They use the sun to warm the crops and can be great for those who grow food in colder climates. These crops are planted directly into the ground. The goal of the High Tunnel initiative was to help farmers extend their growing season to produce more income for the family farms. After sixteen years of honing their skills, small producers in Mississippi are thankful for this fruitful initiative.
The Winston County Self Help Cooperative’s empirical study showed this initiative has added value and created positive dividends for our farmers. Allen McReynolds, WCSHC, stated, “We have a high tunnel here at our demonstration farm in Louisville, MS. Currently, we have a thriving strawberry crop in the high tunnel. We manually removed the unwanted grasses on Thursday, January 9, 2025, and laid drip tape for irrigation. We were extremely concerned about freezing weather affecting the crop; however, the high tunnel is performing and keeping the crop vibrant.”
Pastor Alonzo Miller, WCSHC, said, “The strawberry plants are setting fruit. We should be harvesting strawberries by the end of February 2025.” This initiative is providing farmers with an opportunity to create income during the dormant season.”
We are thankful to our State Conservationist, Kurt Readus, and our local Natural Resource Conservation Service office for assisting Winston County Self Help Cooperative members and others across Mississippi.



We checked in with Vic Heidelberg in Laurel, MS. Vic said, “I received funding for my high tunnel in 2020. This is my fourth crop in the high tunnel. This system has allowed me an opportunity to produce almost year-round. Presently, I have broccoli, curly-leaf kale, and Georgia Collard greens. Also, I have hybrid turnips called “Just Right.” My Brussels sprouts are just beginning to grow. We are thankful to our local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service for providing funding. We are working in conjunction with the Winston County Self Help Cooperative to help save rural America.”

