In November 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture released an updated version of it's Plant Hardiness Zone Map. This map has long been the go-to for farmers and home gardeners seeking to determine what plants will thrive in their region.
The recent update saw a shift up in hardiness zone for most areas, meaning that the low temperatures that areas experience have increased. While the Plant Hardiness Zone Map measures the most extreme weather and, therefore, should not be used as an official indicator of warming climate, there is no doubt among growers that our local climate is changing.
We asked our grower farmers how climate change is affecting their farms, and here's what they said:
There has been a change in precipitation levels.
Our growers noted that climate change has been most visible in changes in rainfall. Periods of drought have led growers to depend increasingly on irrigation systems. On the other extreme, heavy rain and storms have caused many to grow under the shelter of tunnels or in raised beds to protect from flooding.
In recent years we've gone through frequent periods where it rains for weeks at a time. As a consequence, we struggle much more with weed management and even field drainage. In 2022, we bit the bullet and raised almost every bed on the farm. This has helped but also has its own issues."Â - Cate and Jason Crawford, Lyndaker Farms
Excessive rain and hail are two of the things I didn't think I'd ever be planning for. Both are damaging to blooming flowers and can ruin a crop pretty quickly. - Claire Collie, Fernwood Flower Farm
Warmer winters affect which crops are able to grow locally.
As reflected by the change in the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, many of our growers have noticed a shift in first and last frost dates, the severity of our winters, and which plants are able to grow in our area. Many cold-hardy varieties that were grown as annuals in years past have been able to over-winter, producing earlier blooms. In some cases, these changes have been good for business, but the unknown poses a challenge as farmers try to plan crops.
Cultural and scientific knowledge surrounding crops and farm management that have been refined for generations is becoming less and less applicable as we continue to experience year after year of weather anomalies. Having reliable first and last frost dates, knowing about how much rain we'll get at each point in the year, knowing what disease or pest cycle might be coming up in the coming year are all losing their ground as effective ways to run a farm. It has shifted into literally a day-by-day, week by week gambit of managing temperature, water and pest conditions. - Adam Scalisi, Green Effects Landscaping and Nursery
Changing conditions increase the cost of production.
All of the environmental changes have led to an increase in production cost for most growers. From putting in new infrastructure (such as raised beds, irrigation, and even high tunnels) to crop failures due to extreme weather, the amount of work and money needed to produce high quality crops is on the rise.
We have been forced to invest heavily in infrastructure to combat these challenges (irrigation, shade cloths, plastic low tunnels, more wind support, more heating energy). It drives up costs, adds more labor work, makes a quality product harder to produce and not to mention the stress of it all. - Adam Scalisi, Green Effects Landscaping and Nursery
There's good news!
One thing that many of our growers mentioned was a feeling of hope, especially as flower farming relates to the environment. Our growers have all committed to not using harsh chemicals and sprays in their flower production, but many have also integrated other environmentally-friendly practices such as no-till farming, focusing on native species, using natural pest control and more.
As a native flower farm, we are trying to support biodiversity and conservation in our local ecosystem with responsible seed sourcing within 20 miles or less of our farm. This means arranging collection with private property owners and setting aside time for seed collection when plants are ready to harvest. - Melanie Cutillo, Lazy Dirt Flower Farm
Additionally, there is hope that establishing a local flower market will have a positive environmental impact by reducing the carbon footprint created by importing flowers from abroad.
Research has found that agriculture is one of the most effective areas for impacting climate change. This has changed my attitude about what successful farming looks like. I started in produce and viewed my future success through only revenue goals like becoming a six-figure market farmer. I now measure my success holistically, and while revenue is important, I also consider things like improvements to our eroded clay soil, the joy of seeing so many songbirds and pollinators, the time I can dedicate to my kids, and the fact that I love to get up in the morning! - Victoria Jabot, Ley Creek Farm
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