High tunnel construction and production in a large metropolitan city

In partnership with community based organizations, personnel from the Department of Plant Science at Penn State University and Philadelphia County Cooperative Extension Office and through funding supplied by two USDA's Specialty Crops Block Grants administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture assisted with the purchase and/or construction of high tunnels. The goal was to provide hands-on training on construction, production and operation of these high tunnels to produce vegetable crops for an extended season even winter production of greens and other cool season such as root crops. This tend would help eliminate the food deserts that exist in the City of Philadelphia and to provide more fresh and nutritious specialty crops (vegetables/small fruits) to the underserved populations thus fighting obesity especially childhood obesity and the associated health ramifications. Urban farming is a rapidly growing and expanding movement in the United States and in particular Philadelphia. Half the population of the United States resides in or around urban areas and urban farming could contribute to increased food security, food safety, workforce development and entrepreneurship.