Riverside County Farmers Urged To Use Plastic

RIVERSIDE -Uncle Sam is offering Riverside County farmers financial assistance to take part in a pilot project that involves using plastic-covered houses to grow fruits and vegetables, it was announced today.

Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s $65 million “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” program, growers who qualify can receive taxpayer funding to cover half the cost of building “hoop houses,” also known as high tunnels.

The shelters resemble greenhouses, but are canvassed in thick plastic instead of glass, and can be just large enough to fit in a backyard or extend half the length of a football field.

Depending on their size, hoop houses, which are sold in kits, can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Proponents say the shelters protect produce year-round from the elements, pests and pesticide drift, as well as extend the growing season for some fruits and vegetables to a full year.

Riverside and Imperial counties are among the areas participating in a 3-year USDA pilot project to gauge the efficiency of hoop houses. The project is a key component of the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” program, announced in September by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan.

The program emphasizes conservation-friendly organic food production.

“There is great potential for (hoop houses) to expand the availability of healthy, locally-grown crops — a win for producers and consumers,” said Merrigan.

“This pilot project is going to give us real-world information that farmers all over the country can use to decide if they want to add (hoop houses) to their operations,” she added. “We know that these fixtures can help producers extend their growing season and hopefully add to their bottom line.”

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is administering the program in Riverside County. Farmers who qualify will receive a 50 percent government match for funds expended on a hoop house, limited to one per property.