Impacts of Climate Change on Vegetable Production Changing

Impacts of Climate Change on Vegetable Production

Changing Growing Conditions 1. Higher average temperatures 2. Decreased availability of moisture 3. Northward Drift of Ecosystems 4. Volatile and Severe Weather 5. Minimal Hydrocarbon Intensity

1. Higher Average Temperatures Negative Impacts Positive Impacts • Lower productivity in ‘cool’ weather crops • Lower quality in some crops • Increased stress on workers, equipment & infrastructure • Increased evaporation rates • Increased irrigation costs • Increased cold storage costs • Shortened period for harvesting & marketing of some crops • Increased winter survivability of pests and diseases • More heat units = greater productivity for heat loving crops (corn, squash, etc. ) • Longer growing season • Potential for production of crops which were previously not economically viable • Increased winter survivability of plants for food or seed production

Adapting to Hotter • Adapting plant varieties to local conditions through selective breeding and seed saving • Growing more early-maturing varieties of squash, corn, dry beans • Careful management of schedules for seeding, transplanting, watering, weeding, etc. • Adjusting work schedules • Automation of irrigation systems • Investing in super-efficient cold storage • Building strong and resilient relationships with buyers who are willing to help move large quantities of product. (CSA, Farmers’ Markets or wholesale)

2. Decreased Water Availability Negative Impacts • Decreased productivity • Lower quality in some crops • Increased potential for erosion • Stressed plants = Increased vulnerability to disease and pests Positive Impacts • Less potential for fungal diseases

Adapting to Drier • Reducing all water waste • Adoption of grey water systems where appropriate • Investing in efficient irrigation technology, i. e. drip-lines, solar electric pumps, automated/intelligent control systems • Investing in water catchment systems, both for surface run-off to ponds/reservoirs and eavestroughing to above-ground storage capacity • Conscientious management of tillage to reduce soil moisture loss • Adapting plant varieties to local conditions through selective breeding and seed saving • Using cover-crops • Increasing soil organic matter to retain more moisture

3. Northward Ecosystem Drift Negative Impacts • Introduction of new plant diseases • Introduction of new insect pests • Introduction of new weeds Positive Impacts • Introduction of new beneficial insects, birds

Adapting to New Arrivals • • Careful observation of plant health Observation and identification of new insects, plants Use of sticky traps Increased applications of biological controls i. e. BT, diatomaceous earth • Adoption of floating row covers (Remay, Agribon, etc)

4. Increased Weather Volatility Negative Impacts • Loss of quality in some crops • Catastrophic crop loss • Soil erosion due to strong winds and/or heavy rains. • Damage to infrastructure • Stress! Managing the unpredictable is difficult! Positive Impacts

Adapting to Instability • More production in greenhouses, high tunnels and under row covers • Mixed farm allows salvage value retention, i. e. livestock feed • Protocols for recovery- assessing, salvaging, resetting (tilling in), replanting • Nimble management strategies- need to respond to changing conditions quickly • DIVERSITY! Instability of each successive season means hedging bets with diversity.

5. Adapting to Minimal Hydrocarbon Intensity • Adoption of renewable energy technologies • Adoption of battery powered agricultural drones (Naio Technologies, etc. ) • Use of human/animal power where appropriate • Capacity to imagine agriculture beyond the diesel/gas powered iron