Want to learn about growing under cover and how NRCS can pay for high tunnels?

Join us for an workshop featuring Catherine Sylvestre, Director of Vegetable Production at Ferme des Quatre-Temps, and Margaret Hayes, Soil Conservationist with the USDA NRCS. Catherine will share her expertise on winter crop planning, crop protection, and using greenhouses and tunnels to extend the growing season in northern climates. Margaret will provide an overview of securing NRCS EQIP funding for high tunnel installations and offer practical guidance on applying for EQIP to enhance farm resilience. This workshop is ideal for farmers looking to optimize their production under covered systems while accessing financial support for infrastructure improvements.

Workshop structure: 

6:00-6:10 – Welcome and introductions from New Entry.

6:10-7:00 – Presentation from Catherine Sylvestre.

7:00-7:15 – Q&A with Catherine Sylvestre.

7:15-7:45 – Presentation from NRCS by Margaret Hayes. 

7:45-8:00 – Q&A with Margaret Hayes.

Guest speakers: 

Catherine Sylvestre from Ferme des Quatre Temps: Catherine Sylvestre is the Director of Vegetable Production at Ferme des Quatre-Temps, a regenerative farm in Quebec started by Jean Martin Fortier that promotes ecological polyculture and sustainable agriculture. She leads the market garden team, specializing in cold season growing, crop protection, and greenhouse production suited for northern climates. Catherine is also a technical advisor at the Market Gardener Institute, where she focuses on researching and teaching organic farming practices. With a background that includes a BSc in Ecological Agriculture and Professional Agrology, as well as a master’s degree in political science, her work bridges practical farming with a deep understanding of the relationship between agriculture and ecological systems. She works to equip farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to achieve successful year-round harvests, particularly in challenging climates. Catherine co-authored The Winter Market Gardener, a comprehensive guide to year-round vegetable production in northern climates. The book shares practical strategies for winter crop planning, crop protection, and the use of structures like greenhouses and tunnels to extend the growing season.

Margaret Hayes from NRCS: Margaret Hayes is a Soil Conservationist with the USDA NRCS, serving Worcester, Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties in Massachusetts. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Northern Vermont University. Margaret has been a key contact for farmers applying to the NRCS EQIP program, particularly in helping them navigate the installation of high tunnels. She provides guidance throughout the process, advising on best practices for implementing conservation measures that promote sustainable agriculture.

Funding Aknowledgement

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40447.