climate and weather
‘Brutal’ wine market leaves farms in peril
Steve Perrin and his family have grown winegrapes on the land around their Lodi farmhouse for four generations. Behind the house stand a towering oak, a workshop and 150 acres of grapevines, mostly zinfandel, some... more »
USDA’s $235 million to aid grower hurricane, disaster relief
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is aiding growers through more than $235 million hurricane and disaster relief. USDA is issuing payments to agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters, including $143 million in crop insurance... more »
Hurricane Helene damaged communities aided by Virginia Cooperative Extension
Virginia Cooperative Extension is helping growers and communities damaged by Hurricane Helene. Though the floodwaters have receded, the recovery for growers including one who grows organic berries will last for months and even years. As... more »
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack visits North Carolina disaster areas
As part of hurricane disaster recovery effort, the U.S. Agriculture Secretary recently traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, to hear from local, state and Tribal officials, emergency managers, food bank staff and volunteers, and impacted producers... more »
Heat produces uneven California fall organic fruit supply
An inconsistent supply of fall organic fruit is expected this year. Stephen Paul of Homegrown Organic Farms (HGO) in Porterville, California, said the record heat that scorched the valley from spring to fall took its... more »
Irrigation supplier Rivulis works to combat climate change
Rivulis, a micro and drip irrigation supplier, discusses agriculture irrigation’s role in combatting climate change. Agriculture holds a unique double opportunity to reverse adverse climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and removing carbon from... more »
UF/IFAS urges Florida farmers to report Hurricane Milton ag damages for disaster assistance
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is urging Fruit and vegetable growers and stakeholders to assess and report agricultural damages caused by Hurricane Milton. Anna Mészáros, a Palm Beach County... more »
Hurricane Helene causes $6 billion in damage to Georgia agriculture
Georgia’s agricultural community is reeling from the destruction left by Hurricane Helene, which caused an estimated $6.46 billion in damage, state officials said. The storm, which struck on Sept. 26, is the third to hit... more »
Emergency loan program to help ag affected by Hurricane Milton
A Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program has a focus on ag, offering $50 million to support businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton, has been activated by the Florida Commerce. Agricultural and aquaculture businesses can request... more »
Orchard optimism: Strong apple production predicted across major producing states
Following last year’s record production, apple growers expect another high-performing year. For most of the leading apple producing states, production is expected to be lower than the previous season and lower than average. Apple growers... more »