Volunteers raise the roof on relocated hoophouse

The new Eggert Family Organic Farm got a new plastic hoophouse late last month. Two dozen volunteers and staff came out on a chilly February morning to install the plastic cover.

The farm grows vegetables in the hoophouses which serve to extend the growing season –  warm season crops in the summer and cool season greens in the winter and spring. Hoophouses are used year round and produce some of the highest yields on the farm.

To learn more about hoophouses, also known as high tunnels, check out these resources: http://mtvernon.wsu.edu/hightunnels/ and https://pubs.wsu.edu/ListItems.aspx?Keyword=high%20tunnel

tarp rolled out
The 4800 square foot plastic roof that will cover the frame is stretched out on the ground on one side, then pulled over.
A volunteer tosses a hammer, tied to a rope, over the hoophouse frame. The rope is then used to pull the plastic roof over the frame.
A volunteer tosses a hammer, tied to a rope, over the hoophouse frame. The rope is then used to pull the plastic roof over the frame.
The roof is slowly lifted up to cover the frame.
The roof is slowly lifted up to cover the frame.
A volunteer holds the roof as it reaches the apex of the hoophouse frame.
A volunteer holds the roof as it reaches the apex of the hoophouse frame.
After the roof covered the frame, volunteers (including this very young helper) had to hold the tarp while others secured it to the frame.
After the roof covered the frame, volunteers (including this very young helper) had to hold the tarp while others secured it to the frame.
Volunteers had to deal with wind before the roof was secured to the frame.
Volunteers managed to secure the roof to the frame.