High tunnels are simple, solar-heated greenhouses. They use much less energy than heated greenhouses.

Winter temperatures are warmer inside a high tunnel than outside, but still much cooler than summer temperatures. High tunnels temper seasonality; they don't eliminate it.

Many of the growers who use high tunnels for winter vegetable production in our region have problems with a disease caused by a fungus that thrives in cool, moist conditions. Over the past three years I have had the pleasure of working with a team of scientists and growers to test methods of controlling the disease that would be compatible with organic agriculture standards.

Michael Bomford provides research and extension services related to organic agriculture and small-scale renewable energy production through Kentucky State University's Land Grant Program. He thanks Paul Vincelli, George Antonious, Paul Wiediger, Alison Wieidger, Brian Geier, Ed Dixon, and John Rodgers for their collaboration on the study described here. Funding was provided by the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.