High Tunnel Initiative aims to ‘bring people together’ to grow food REPORTING AND WRITING BY DIANE PITZ KILIVRIS, PHOTOS BY ILENIA PEZZANITI
U
pon learning that Akron has a “High Tunnel System Initiative,” one might envision high speed trains jetting through tubes from city to suburb. Nope. Not even close. These high tunnels are structures designed to serve urban farmers in growing high-quality produce nearly year-round. And the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering grants to Akron residents who have a bit of land and the desire to grow food. Those in urban food deserts — areas more than a mile away from grocery stores with fresh produce — are especially encouraged to apply. A high tunnel, or “hoop house,”
30 | The Devil Strip
is a metal-framed arched structure covered with heavy polyethylene. They significantly extend the normal growing season by allowing for natural climate control and protection from harsh weather and pests. High tunnels are taller than greenhouses and significantly less expensive. Plus, they are moveable to allow for farming rotation. Fruits and vegetables in high tunnels are typically planted in the ground as opposed to structures such as raised beds.
by the USDA initiative. It was later donated to Akron Cooperative Farms, where it is currently in use.
Cleveland began a high tunnel initiative in 2012 as a pilot project introduced by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge to bring quality produce to food deserts in urban areas.
In 2018, Kashava Holt took a job as an outreach specialist with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, also partnering with the NRCS, and began actively promoting the High Tunnel Initiative in Akron. Holt was a University of Akron student, founder of the school’s Urban Agriculture Program, a lifelong vegetarian and an impassioned advocate for bringing the Akron community together through growing healthy food.
Let’s Grow Akron has been using high and low tunnels for the better part of a decade. In 2014 Trinity United Church of Christ in North Akron received the first hoop house funded
In 2018 the Akron Urban League set up a high tunnel via the initiative, which is used for educational programs for youth. Let’s Grow Akron currently cares for it. Presently, there are roughly 200 high tunnels in operation in the Akron area, including those funded by the High Tunnel Initiative.
April 2021 · Vol 8 · Issue #4
He developed online information sessions and actively helps applicants through the process. He has even helped physically set up the high tunnels once they arrive. While Holt’s mission started at the University of Akron with the desire to improve the quality of healthy food options available on campus, his passion grew. “I wanted to have a bigger impact throughout the city, beyond the university,” Holt says. Last May, Holt started the nonprofit Akron Urban Agriculture. Its mission is to advocate and promote anything agriculture-related in the Akron area, including the high tunnel initiative. Now with an active presence on social media, the nonprofit is focused on reaching out to anyone who would like to become involved in Akron’s agriculture scene. thedevilstrip.com
