High Tunnel Farm Tours in Warren County - June 11th

Join the Warren County SWCD and NRCS as they sponsor this Tuesday June 11th tour to see how seasonal high tunnels extend the growing season for vegetables and other specialty crops. Most high tunnels are made of metal piping covered in plastic. Unlike greenhouses, they require no energy, using sunlight to modify the climate inside.

Visit one, two or all five—owners and operators will be available from 1 to 5pm on the 11th at each of the locations to visit with you.  Learn about each operation or just see what they are doing.  Follow the field day signs the day of the tour!

At Knolls along with eating supper, which will be prepared using high tunnel grown vegetables, we will have a question and answer time with the high tunnel owners. Ryan Green, CED for Warren County FSA will speak on the Micro Loan Program, NRCS will talk about cost-share options available. Information will be available from the Missouri Department of Agriculture regarding their small loan program.

There will be a $5.00 per person charge for dinner.  Please RSVP to the Warrenton Office by Friday June 7th if you plan to attend. 636-456-3434 x 3.

Farms on the Tour

John Kopmann, 17324 Bouef Island Road, Marthasville, MO 63357

John has had his high tunnel for three years. In the summer it is full of tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, and egg plant which they sell mostly at local Farmers Markets. The winter time the high tunnel is used to grow lettuce and spinach which they sell directly to local schools.  John also grows other produce outside of the high tunnel. He will have sweet corn, watermelon, and cantaloupe for sale later in the summer.

Debbie Niederer, 21310 South Hwy. 47, Warrenton, MO 63383

This high tunnel is one of the smallest kits sold. Landowner's space is limited but they wanted a way to produce enough vegetables to have for their own use. When they have extra they enjoy sharing with family and friends. This is their second year for production, since last summer was not a normal growing season they are not basing anything on last year so they are not sure what they can really produce in the smaller high tunnel. They currently have strawberries and peas blooming. They have been eating lettuce for almost a month and will have radishes soon.  Last year by this time they were eating their second planting of radishes. Debbie enjoys growing things so she is enjoying having the high tunnel.

Carl Saunders, 30330 Greenfield Lane, Warrenton, MO 63383

Carl utilizes three high tunnels to expand the growing season for a variety of vegetables. He started in 2007 with his first high tunnel and added two more in 2010. His niche market is salad greens which he delivers to commercial accounts in St. Louis as well as Farmer’s Markets. He now can make a living off of his four acres and high tunnels. Carl says when it’s freezing outside with snowflakes blowing by our high tunnel, salad greens and mizuna are nice and comfortable in the mid 50's. Salad greens planted earlier will be ready for our Lake St Louis Farmers & Artists Market which opened April 14 at the Meadows Shopping Center. Carl also has fresh eggs available year round. He utilizes the hens while cleaning out the high tunnels. They get the winter salad greens - it makes the hens very happy.

John Knoll, 24887 Township Line Road, Jonesburg, MO 63351

John and his son currently have two high tunnels producing vegetables. The second one was constructed last year. They also have a wide assortment of grasses and flowering plants for sale. They sell their produce off the farm and at Farmer’s Markets. Other parts of their operation include haying and raising cattle.

Reckamp Farms, 10866 State Hwy. 00, Wright City, MO 63390
Reckamp Farms is a family owned & operated business South of Wright City. The farm includes 185 acres 40 of which is produce & pumpkins. They have 2000 head farrow to finish Hog operation. All animals are raised drug & hormone free on Reckamp Farms. There are currently four high tunnels in which they extend the growing season for their vegetables. Some are started in the high tunnels or other greenhouse sources and then transplanted to the fields. In 2001 they opened their own “Farm Shop” in which they sell produce & pork produced on the farm. Some vegetables are still taken to the Farmer’s Market for selling. Reckamp Farms also produce their own honey & have a large selection of Amish jams & jellies on hand for sale.