Hoop House Designer.
Hoop House / High Tunnel Designer
Design a low tunnel, caterpillar tunnel, or NRCS-spec high tunnel. Hoop spacing, materials BOM, EQIP cost-share eligibility.
Tunnel styles compared
| Style | Height | Cost / sq ft | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low tunnel | 3-4 ft | $0.30-0.80 | Season extension; small farm; movable; veg crop frost protection |
| Caterpillar tunnel | 8-10 ft | $1-2 | Walkable; portable (rolls + relocates); flowers + tall crops; small farm |
| NRCS-spec high tunnel | 12-14 ft | $2-4 | EQIP cost-share eligible; permanent; full production; ground-grown |
| Gothic peaked | 14-16 ft | $3-5 | Snow shedding; tall crops (tomato indeterminate); high snow regions |
| Gutter-connected (multi-bay) | 14-18 ft | $5-12 | Commercial production; large operations; not in this widget |
NRCS EQIP High Tunnel program
USDA NRCS EQIP funds high tunnel installations as Conservation Practice 798 (Seasonal High Tunnel). Cost-share covers 50-90% of installation depending on producer category.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Crop | Must grow in-soil (hydroponic disqualifies) |
| Size | Minimum 5 ft tall at sidewall; standardized sizes preferred |
| Construction | Galvanized steel hoops; double poly inflated typical; permanent foundation |
| Side ventilation | Roll-up sidewalls required |
| End walls | Doors and ventilation |
| Crop production | Must be primary use (not hobby); annual crop production required |
| Conservation plan | NRCS develops site-specific plan; producer signs contract |
| Maintenance | ~10-year minimum operational life expected |
| Producer categories | Beginning farmer / socially disadvantaged / veteran / limited resource = higher cost-share rate |
Application: Visit your local USDA Service Center. NRCS conservation plan + EQIP application is free. Approval typically 6-12 months from application; installation must follow plan exactly.
Snow load engineering
| Snow region | Hoop spacing | Frame requirements |
|---|---|---|
| None / Desert / Gulf | 6 ft | 14-16 ga galvanized 2" tubing |
| Light snow (1-3 ft) | 4 ft | 14 ga 2" tubing; gothic preferred |
| Heavy snow (4-8 ft) | 3 ft | 12-14 ga 2.5" tubing; ridge purlin; gothic preferred |
| Extreme (mountain / Northeast) | 2 ft + bracing | 12 ga 2.5"+; ridge + side purlins; engineered for area; consider commercial design |
If in doubt: err on the side of MORE hoops, not fewer. Collapsed tunnels cost orders of magnitude more than the savings of wider hoop spacing.
Free under CC BY 4.0. Cite as "OAT Hoop House Designer (openagriculturetechnology.com)". NRCS specifications from Conservation Practice Standard 798. Consult local NRCS Service Center for site-specific requirements.