Grower Series High Tunnels
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These NRCS approved High Tunnels are a great way for you to get up and growing as fast as possible. Made from the same commercial grade components as all of our other structures these high tunnels are fast and easy to build. With industry leading strength and components matched with excellent customer support your high tunnel build has never been easier. See below for the features of our Grower Series High Tunnels
"We've used CT Greenhouse for the past 4 years for all of our school based greenhouse projects, including NRCS high tunnels. They have been great to work with and flexible to our needs. You can trust them with your project since they are farmers themselves! Highly recommend."
- Joey Listro, New Britain ROOTS
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Description
The Grower Series NRCS High Tunnel Kit is our commercial-grade, entry-level high tunnel kit designed for small farms and market gardeners who want a strong, reliable growing structure without paying for pre-installed upgrades. This NRCS-eligible high tunnel is built around the same 1.9-inch diameter, 13-gauge galvanized steel main bows used in our higher-tier models. By starting with the Grower Series, you get a premium-strength frame that stands up to severe weather, while keeping the flexibility to add doors, ventilation packages, and local lumber upgrades on your own schedule.
The structural specifications of this high tunnel kit with roll-up sides are engineered for longevity and durability. Each package includes 1.9-inch 13-gauge steel bows spaced 4 feet on center, 1.315-inch 16-gauge steel purlins and trusses, and a heavy-duty 1.75-inch 14-gauge square steel end wall frame. The roof is covered with a single layer of 6-mil, 4-year UV-resistant greenhouse film, secured by an aluminum double wirelock hip board system. For side ventilation, the kit features a manual roll-up side system with 5:1 gear-crank operators and fabric clips. To ensure strong connections, the kit includes Grade 5 bolts and corrosion-resistant stainless steel self-tapping screws, and all structural steel tubing is American-made.
This entry-level high tunnel kit is ideal for extending the growing season for high-value vegetable crops, cut flowers, and nursery plants. Available in widths from 14 to 34 feet and any length in multiples of 4 feet, with options for 5-foot or 6-foot sidewall heights. Popular configurations such as the 30x96 high tunnel kit can be custom-tailored to fit your farm's layout. Please note that baseboard lumber and doors are not included in the standard Grower Series package and are sourced locally or ordered separately.
To support your farm's expansion, every Grower Series structure is designed to meet the USDA NRCS CPS 325 standard for High Tunnel Systems, which makes it eligible for EQIP cost-share funding. CT Greenhouse provides the documents and manufacturer specifications your local NRCS office needs for grant review, though eligibility and reimbursement rates vary by state, so check with your local office. Contact CT Greenhouse today to configure your custom quote, receive your program paperwork, and start your NRCS high tunnel project.
The Grower Series is our entry-level NRCS high tunnel kit, built for growers who want a solid, commercial-grade structure without paying for features they may not need yet. It's the same 1.9-inch 13-gauge galvanized steel frame, the same Grade 5 bolts, and the same aluminum extrusions used in our Plus and Pro models. The difference is simplicity: the Grower gives you everything you need to get a high tunnel up and growing, and lets you add doors, ventilation upgrades, and other accessories on your own timeline.
Every Grower Series kit is designed to meet USDA NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 325 (CPS 325), so it's eligible for EQIP high tunnel cost-share funding. It's available in widths from 14 to 34 feet, any length in multiples of 4 feet, and your choice of standard (5') or tall (6') sidewalls. Select your options above, or contact us for a custom quote.
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✓ NRCS CPS 325 Eligible
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✓ American-Made Steel Tubing
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✓ Custom-Configured Kits
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✓ Farmer-Owned & Operated
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CT Greenhouse Expert Review
"The Grower Series is your smart entry point to commercial high tunnel growing. You get the same 13-gauge steel frame we use in every model we build. The things we left out, like doors, polycarbonate end walls, and trellis cables, are things you can add later if you need them. What you can't upgrade later is the frame itself, and that's where we didn't cut corners. Pro tip: If your NRCS contract is already in place, call us before ordering. We'll configure your kit to match your contract specs exactly, so your reimbursement process goes smoothly."
The Grower Series High Tunnel is designed to meet the requirements under USDA NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 325 for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which makes it eligible for high tunnel cost-share funding. We provide the documentation your local NRCS agent needs to review your structure for a CPS 325 contract. Reimbursement generally runs $4 to $8 per square foot, though eligibility and rates vary by state, so check with your local NRCS office for the details that apply to you. Learn more about NRCS high tunnel funding.
Already have your NRCS contract? Call us at 860-341-8707 and we'll configure your tunnel to match your approved specs.
What Sets the Grower Series Apart
Heavier steel where it counts
The Grower Series uses 1.9-inch diameter, 13-gauge galvanized steel for the main bows. That's heavier than many competing kits that use 16-gauge hoops. A lower gauge number means thicker, stronger tubing, which translates directly to better resistance against snow loads and wind. It's the same bow spec we use in our Plus and Pro models, because the frame is not where you cut corners.
Grade 5 bolts at every connection
Every bolted connection on the Grower uses Grade 5 hardware. Grade 5 bolts have significantly higher tensile and shear strength than standard Grade 2 hardware, which means your joints hold tighter over time, especially under wind and thermal cycling. Most competing kits don't specify their bolt grade at all. We do, because it matters when your tunnel is standing in a January wind.
American-made steel tubing
The galvanized steel tubing in the Grower Series, including the main bows, trusses, and purlins, is manufactured in the United States. You know where your structural steel comes from, and you're supporting domestic manufacturing.
Farmer-owned, with direct owner support
CT Greenhouse is owned and operated by farmers who've built NRCS tunnels on their own land. When you call for a quote or need help during your build, you're talking to people who've done the work themselves. That's a different experience than calling a corporate 800 number.
Custom-configured, not off-the-shelf
Every Grower Series kit is configured to your specific width, length, and sidewall height. If your NRCS contract has specific dimension requirements or your site has constraints, we build your kit to match. You're not limited to a fixed list of catalog sizes.
What's Included in Your Grower Series Kit
| ✓ | 1.9-inch 13-gauge galvanized steel main bows (commercial-grade frame, same tubing used in our Plus and Pro models) |
| ✓ | 1.315-inch 16-gauge tubing for trusses, purlins, and roll-up pipe (provides lateral strength and supports the roll-up side mechanism) |
| ✓ | 1.75-inch 14-gauge square end wall framing (heavier-gauge square tubing for solid, plumb end walls) |
| ✓ | Single layer of 6-mil, 4-year UV-rated greenhouse plastic (standard covering for season extension growing) |
| ✓ | Aluminum double wirelock hip board (structural permanent alternative to traditional wooden hip boards) |
| ✓ | 5:1 gear-crank roll-up side operators (open and close your sidewalls for ventilation) |
| ✓ | Aluminum fabric clips for roll-up sides (the fastest and easiest system to install) |
| ✓ | Grade 5 bolts at all bolted connections (higher shear and tensile strength than standard hardware) |
| ✓ | Stainless steel #4 tip self-tapping screws (corrosion-resistant fasteners throughout) |
Specifications
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Main bow tubing
1.9-inch round, 13-gauge galvanized steel
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Truss, purlin, and roll-up tubing
1.315-inch round, 16-gauge galvanized steel
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End wall framing
1.75-inch square, 14-gauge galvanized steel
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Covering
Single layer, 6-mil, 4-year UV-rated greenhouse film
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Bow spacing
4 ft on center
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Connections
Grade 5 bolts; #4 tip stainless steel self-tapping screws
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Available widths
14', 16', 18', 20', 22', 24', 26', 28', 30', 32', 34'
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Available lengths
Any, in multiples of 4'
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Sidewall height
Standard (5') or Tall (6')
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NRCS eligibility
USDA NRCS CPS 325 (High Tunnel System)
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Grower vs. Plus vs. Pro: Pick the Level That Fits
The Grower, Plus, and Pro all share the same 1.9-inch 13-gauge galvanized steel main frame. The difference is in what's built in versus what you add later. If you want to get growing with a solid, NRCS-eligible structure and add accessories on your own timeline, the Grower is your starting point.
| Feature | Grower ★ | Plus | Pro |
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| NRCS CPS 325 eligible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Main bow gauge | 13 ga (1.9") | 13 ga (1.9") | 13 ga (1.9") |
| Plastic covering | Single layer | Double layer | Double layer |
| Roll-up sides | 4-yr poly | 4-yr poly | Woven |
| Bug netting + wind exclusion | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doors | Not included | Hinged (both ends) | Sliding (both ends) |
| Peak vents + auto opener | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| End walls | Poly film | Polycarbonate | Polycarbonate |
| Baseboards | Wooden | Wooden | Steel and polycarbonate |
| Trellis cables | – | – | ✓ |
Scroll to see all models →
If you already know you want doors, bug netting, and peak vents included from day one, start with the Plus Series. Want everything fully upgraded? See the Pro Series. Not sure which model fits your NRCS project? Contact us and we'll help you match the right configuration.
Assembly Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What's included in the Grower Series high tunnel kit?
A: The kit includes 1.9-inch 13-gauge steel main bows, 1.315-inch 16-gauge trusses and purlins, 14-gauge square end wall framing, single-layer 6-mil 4-year UV-rated greenhouse plastic, an aluminum double wirelock hip board, Grade 5 bolts, stainless self-tapping screws, and 5:1 gear-crank roll-up operators. Baseboard lumber and doors are sourced separately; doors are standard on our Plus and Pro models.
Q: Is the Grower Series high tunnel NRCS-eligible?
A: Yes. The CT Greenhouse Grower Series is designed to meet NRCS Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) 325, the standard for EQIP high tunnel funding, which makes it eligible for cost-share. We provide the documentation your local NRCS agent needs to review your structure, though eligibility and reimbursement rates vary by state.
Q: How much does the Grower Series high tunnel cost?
A: Grower Series pricing depends on the width, length, and sidewall height you choose, so each kit is quoted to your configuration. NRCS cost-share rates typically cover a significant portion of the cost, so your net out-of-pocket may be substantially lower. Contact us for a quote with NRCS documentation included.
Q: What gauge steel is the Grower Series high tunnel made from?
A: The main bows use 1.9-inch diameter, 13-gauge galvanized steel, which is heavier than many competing kits that use 16-gauge hoops. The structural steel tubing is American-made. A lower gauge number means thicker, stronger tubing with greater snow load and wind resistance.
Q: What is NRCS CPS 325 and how does it apply to high tunnels?
A: CPS 325 is the USDA's technical standard for High Tunnel Systems under EQIP. It generally calls for a metal-frame kit with a minimum 6-foot peak height and at least 6-mil greenhouse-grade polyethylene covering, and final requirements can vary by state. The Grower Series is designed to meet these structural requirements.
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Ready to start your NRCS high tunnel project? Every Grower Series kit is custom-configured for your farm.
Get My Custom QuoteOr call us at 860-341-8707 for a same-day quote. Already have your NRCS contract in place? Let us know and we'll configure your tunnel to match your contract specs and help you maximize your reimbursement.
Learn more: NRCS High Tunnel Program: What You Need to Know
100% American-made steel frame and aluminum extrusions
More steel where it matters most for a heavier and more durable structure.
No more rusty bolts: We invest in Grade 5 bolts for all connections
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