2026 TunnelTalk Virtual Grower Meetings
Back for another year, come check out Perennia’s 2026 TunnelTalk Virtual Grower Meetings! This series aims to provide a recurring virtual space for producers of all shapes and sizes to come together and discuss all things protected agriculture. The main topic for discussion will vary month to month, with outside expertise on relevant topics, grower roundtables, shared experiences with techniques and technology, and group troubleshooting. This series of meetings is intended to be driven by grower feedback, and questions were organized and moderated by Perennia’s protected crop specialist, Talia Plaskett. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming dates and tunnel topics.
Every month from January to December 2026!
Tunnel Talk – Technology for High Tunnel Spaces
October 19, 2026
12:00PM – 1:00PM
While high tunnels may seem limited when it comes to manipulating growing environments, a lot can be accomplished through the strategic use of shading, irrigation, air movement and circulation. The trigger for these decisions? Temperature and humidity! These variables are crucial metrics for dialing in our growing environments and supporting our crops in producing high quality, high yielding plants. Join Vern Grubinger from the University of Vermont in a discussion about the tech that he is seeing successfully integrated into high tunnel production across Vermont and the Northeast.
Guest Speaker: Vern Grubinger, Extension Professor at the University of Vermont
Dr. Vern Grubinger is the Vegetable and Berry Specialist at the University of Vermont. He has been working with and learning from farmers in Vermont since 1990. He provides technical advice and conducts applied research, working with the UVM Extension Commercial Horticulture team. He spent significant time as the Director of USDA’s Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE) as well, during which the program made over 1,800 grants to farmers, graduate students, researchers and agricultural service providers for a total of more than $76 million.
Tunnel Talk – New Brunswick Grower Panel: Technology Adoption in High Tunnels
November 16, 2026
12:00PM – 1:00PM
There are many farms in our neighbouring province that have successfully upped their protected production with the strategic use of technology. Join our Protected Crop Specialist as she hosts a panel discussion with three New Brunswick high tunnel producers. This will be a great cross-section of grower experience when it comes to changing management practices and realizing efficiencies on farms that look very similar to our own. Participants will be locked and loaded to answer pre-prepared questions, but there will also be time for discussion and elaboration where desired.
Guest Speaker
TBA
Tunnel Talk – Farm Focus: Review of New On-Farm Practices in 2026
December 14, 2026
12:00PM – 1:00PM
There are many interesting things happening in protected spaces across the province when it comes to new-to-you practices, technology and production methods. This session is intended to provide a platform for producers to share short reviews of something new that was implemented in the tunnel/greenhouse this year. The intention is to facilitate the spread of success, while simultaneously preventing repetitions of the bad and the ugly. A handful of growers have been selected to talk about something they tried on farm, however, there will be space for general sharing here as well if anyone wants to add to the discussion.
Registration
Registration is required. The deadline for registration is NOON two days before the session. For those who register, you will receive the link/passcode to join the details from session host Talia Plaskett one day before the session begins.