Fruit growers in Vermont are aiming for a recovery this summer after a severe frost on May 17-18 last year destroyed fruit blossoms and damaged vines across the state, leading to a disaster designation by the USDA. In the Upper Valley, growers anticipated a loss of 95% of their crops. Kim Antonioli of Adam's Apple Orchard in Williston recounted the event as a rare and financially damaging occurrence, with the orchard not experiencing an apple failure more than twice in over 50 years.
Last year's frost resulted in an industry-wide loss of approximately $10 million in a single day, according to Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbet. Now, a year later, the orchards are blooming more than ever before, indicating a potential rebound. However, Antonioli remains cautious, emphasizing the unpredictability of each season and the importance of not counting the harvest before it's complete.
The region has been challenged by various adverse weather conditions including drought, freeze, wildfire, and floods in 2023. In response, Tebbet has formed a task force to address these losses and is advocating for changes in federal insurance programs through the USDA and Congress, highlighting that current programs do not adequately cater to Vermont's scale of farming. The recently unveiled Farm Bill in the U.S. Senate is expected to bring improvements beneficial to Vermont families and the agricultural sector.
Source: wcax.com