Farmers in New Hampshire are experiencing "weather whiplash," shifting from one extreme to another, impacting fields and livelihoods, as reported by Concord Monitor.
Abigail Clarke of Winter Street Farm, Claremont, New Hampshire, faced challenges due to a wet spring followed by a dry summer in 2024. "We lost half of our carrots because they rotted in the ground, completely saturated for two months straight," she told Concord Monitor. "Everything came in weeks later than normal. We were spending twice as much time to harvest half as many vegetables."
This trend is prevalent as agriculture feels the effects of a warming world. The U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates extreme weather events like heavy precipitation, drought, and heat are becoming more frequent in the Northwest, leading to potential losses for farmers and local economies. A 2015 drought in Washington reportedly cost farmers an estimated $633 to $733 million.
Consumers may face product shortages or price hikes. Olive oil prices hit new highs in 2024 after extreme weather affected production in the Mediterranean, leading to increased shoplifting in Spain and the U.K.
Food shortages could impact nutrition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that certain dietary patterns, like those of Alaska Natives, might face shortages, possibly leading to reliance on nutrient-poor, calorie-rich foods, and potential hunger.
Clarke is focusing on crop diversity to withstand future storms. "If we were doing 50 acres of just potatoes or just something else, that tends to be impacted more heavily by the climate factors," she mentioned. Increasing pollinator habitats, maintaining wetlands, community composting, and no-till agriculture are strategies she employs.
Scientists are developing resilient crops and exploring innovative solutions like using ethanol to help plants cope with drought.
Source: TCD
