They say the best way to eat local is to eat right from your backyard.
A hoop house structure was installed on the northeast corner of the Graceland University Lamoni campus (right by the community bike trail) in May 2013. Hoop houses, also commonly referred to as high tunnels, are covered, passive, solar-heated structures designed to extend the growing season and intensify production of crops. They provide a protected environment, which helps produce higher-quality produce at higher yields. Graceland’s own hoop house project was made possible by a donation from alumnus Steve Upson and the Noble Foundation, for which he works.
Where does the hoop house-grown produce go?
The primary outlets for the produce grown in the hoop house are the members of our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), campus dining service and Lamoni food pantry. This year’s harvest consisted mostly of heirloom tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, rosemary, thyme, cilantro and basil. While the hoop house cannot rightfully offer organically certified produce, it is a chemical-free operation.
