WSU’s Eggert Family Organic Farm Benefitting from Hoophouses

Eggert Family Organic Farm at Washington State University has been implementing hoophouses so that crops can survive the harsh Palouse winters.

Farm Manager Brad Jaeckel said it’s about season extension for them.

“The cool thing about them is that they can have a crop in them year round and I think the thing for a new grower to remember is that that’s going to help pay off that structure a little quicker. We’re able to pay off our hoophouses usually within three years.”

It also diversifies the crop rotation by introducing a new crop, which for Eggert Farm is spinach.

Jaeckel said there are something that are important to know.

“You really have to develop a seeding schedule that matches your climate, understanding what’s going to be the limiting factors for your location. For us in the Northwest light is going to be the limiting factor in the winters and if you’re at a lower elevation, temperature is the next factor to consider.”

That’s why Jaeckel recommends trial and error with a few different hoophouses and planting a variety of crops at different times to figure out what works best.

There are also funding options through NRCS to buy houses for a farm.

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