SR1 Repairs Hoop House Following Hurricane Ida

When Hurricane Ida hit in late August, SR1 was fortunate to experience only minimal damage overall. However, one structure that didn’t withstand the storm was the organization’s hoop house.

A hoop house, similar to a greenhouse, allows plants to be grown in a more controlled environment than in open fields. At SR1, this structure plays an important role in agricultural education.

The hoop house, installed just over a year ago, was lifted by high winds overnight and collided with one of SR1’s transportation vans. While the van sustained only minor scratches, the hoop house was left on its side, leaving crops exposed to the elements.

Damage assessments showed that several metal poles in the frame had been bent beyond repair. The structure remained uncovered until Friday, September 24, when repairs officially began.

SR1’s newest agricultural specialist, Jailyn Smith, worked alongside team members Dominique Triplett and Tamu Green to replace the damaged poles. The repairs were successful, though additional work is needed to secure the structure more firmly and correct its lean caused by Ida’s strong winds.

The process is ongoing, but SR1 looks forward to returning the hoop house to full use soon, with plans to grow fall and winter crops for educational purposes and community benefit.