NRCS High Tunnel Initiative helps urban farmers feed Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. – USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is empowering urban farmers like Stacey Givens to feed their communities, one high tunnel at a time. Givens operates The Side Yard Farm and Kitchen—an urban farm, supper club and catering company located in northeast Portland. The NRCS helped Givens get a high tunnel on her farm through its High Tunnel Initiative. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to build high tunnels for producers of all types—from traditional to organic, from rural to urban, from large-scale operations to backyard plots. The result is an extended growing season, increased yield, and better crop productivity—all with a focus on conservation. In Multnomah County, NRCS District Conservationist Kim Galland works directly with Givens and other urban farmers to see how NRCS programs can help them achieve their conservation goals. NRCS photos by Tracy Robillard.