1. Impacts of Climate Change on Vegetable Production

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

3. 1. Higher Average Temperatures
Negative 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
Positive Impacts
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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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