NHF - Movable High Tunnels

PROJECT JOURNAL

2020/09/07

USDA informs us that we’ve been awarded $8,951.85 towards one of the high tunnels!

2021/06/09

Went to the bank and paid the deposit for the high tunnels.

2021/10/01

Due to supply chain issues, delivery of the tunnels has been delayed until 10/28/21. Assembly will begin in spring of 2022.

2021/11/12

We exceeded our fundraising goal!!! Woohoo!!!

2021/12/2

The high tunnel kits arrived at the farm!!!

2021/12/2

Harnois engineers provide uplift per anchor: 995 lbs / anchor

2022/04/05

Started trenching for occultation of high tunnel plots.

2022/08/2

Site preparation begins!  Forrest’s crew start trenching and grading.

2022/09/11

Received an email from Matt G., volunteering to help me with high tunnel assembly and strategy.  Scheduled a meeting for the 13th.

2022/09/13

Met with Matt to assess the best strategy for installing the anchor tubes for the arches.

2022/09/18-21

Matt helps me install more anchor tubes.

2022/09/22

Rented skid-steer to spread compost.  Much faster and easier than spreading with wheelbarrows and rakes!  Thank goodness I canceled the work party.

2022/09/25

Finished spreading compost on high tunnel plots.

2022/09/27

More anchor tube installation with Matt.  Robin Buckingham (NRCS) arrives to inspect the finished high tunnel prior to approving the payment.

2022/09/28-9

Matt helps me install more anchor tubes.

2022/09/30

Rented a generator to drive helix anchors for NRCS tunnel.  Dry/compacted soil makes it challenging to drive anchors.  Some areas appear to hit bedrock or hardpan.  Sometimes the anchors want to twist if there’s too much resistance.  Matt stopped by to help.

2022/10/01

Finished installing helix anchors for NRCS tunnel.  

2022/10/02

HT #1 (NRCS): Finished installing arches onto anchor tubes and installing purlins and bracing.

2022/10/03

HT #1 (NRCS): Installing PVC flashing to end walls and wiggle wire channel on sides of tunnel.

2022/10/05

HT #1 (NRCS): Finished installing PVC flashing to end walls.  Started prepping for baseboards and bottom skirts.

2022/10/06-7

HT #1 (NRCS): Baseboards and wire for bottom skirt installed

2022/10/08

HT #1 (NRCS): Built a jig for end walls.  Started framing up steel for end walls.

2022/10/08

HT #1 (NRCS): Installing doorway and track for sliding door.

2022/10/10

HT #1 (NRCS): Noticing discrepancies between the illustrations in the assembly manual and some of the parts we received.  

Going to contact Harnois to get clarification.

2022/10/11

HT #1 (NRCS): Turns out that Harnois made a bunch of mistakes.  They refused to send us different louvers to accommodate the end walls — which are already assembled and anchored.

2022/10/14

HT #1 (NRCS): Harnois suggests that we “shorten the doors” to accommodate the brace.  This would be a huge waste of time, materials, and money.  I told them we were already behind schedule and it would be too expensive for me to backtrack to make this modification.  Harnois refused to send us door kits.

2022/10/17

HT #1 (NRCS): More discrepancies!  The end walls were assembled according to the manual, but the louver vents don’t fit the opening in the end walls.  Contacted Harnois.

2022/10/17

HT #1 (NRCS): Harnois responds to the louver vent discrepancy.  They suggested that I disassemble the end wall to accommodate the vent.  Not impressed.  Very frustrating.

2022/10/19

Got decent turnout for the work party.  Successfully installed the plastic on the NRCS tunnel.  Unfortunately, the PVC flashing on the endwalls had some sharp bits that cut the plastic a bit as we pulled it over the peak.  Next time, we’ll strap a bunch of towels over the peak to prevent damage.  Luckily, I was able to “tightrope” along the purlin to install repair tape over the cuts.  Beautiful day.  Very exciting.

2022/10/30

Finally replied to Harnois about their proposed solutions to the incompatible parts and discrepancies.  I told them that their suggestions were not feasible (for the same reasons that I couldn’t shorten the sliding doors).  Asked them to send correct parts.  They refused.

2022/10/31

Harnois draws up a new design for end wall bracing.  I approved the strategy.  The will send the parts and hardware for the new design.

2022/10/22

Moved parts for remaining tunnels into the NRCS tunnel to keep them protected during the winter.

2022/12/20

Contacted Harnois to ask why our kits didn’t include steel baseboards.  They said that the steel baseboards are part of their newer designs, but they are available to purchase separately.

2022/12/21

Contacted Harnois to order baseboard kit with wiggle wire channel.

THIS PROJECT JOURNAL IS STILL BEING UPDATED — MORE ENTRIES PENDING