Sustainable Farming in Climate Change: YOKNA BOTTOMS FARM in 2013

2. Sustainable Farming in Climate Change:YOKNA BOTTOMS FARM in 2013 • Review of spring 2013 weather at Yokna Bottoms • Impact of the 2013 weather on farm productivity • Adapting to extreme weather fluctuations

3. GENERAL EXPECTED IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE • Increased global temperatures (Mean global temperature increased 1 Degree Fahrenheit from 1960-2010) • Increased water in the atmosphere (Up 10% from 1960-2010) • Increased strength and power of storms • Increased extremes in fluctuating weather patterns • Increased areas of drought and excessive rain

4. Yokna Bottoms Spring 2013 Weather

5. Spring Weather Continued

6. Spring Weather

7. Impact of Spring Weather • Field Operations (we had very few days this spring dry enough to prepare soil for planting or to cultivate already planted crops; delayed planting of all crops especially summer crops) • Standing Water Crop Loss (20-30% loss overall, 70-80% loss of potato crop, 90+% spinach crop loss) • Increased insect and weed pressure on all crops • Overall yields are down an estimated 30-40% • Advantages: excellent English Pea and Carrot crop; lettuce crop twice expected yield; additional space available and ready for summer and fall crops

11. Adjusting to Extreme Weather Cycles • Focus on the long-term health of the soil • Know your fields well and plan accordingly (soil, drainage, pest and weed problems) • Diversify and grow a wide variety of plants and numerous varieties of individual crops • Stagger planting dates • Use crop rotation, cover crops, and beneficial plantings • Improve field drainage • Consider high row tops (benefits and problems come with high row tops) • Have seed available and keep planting • Base success on the entire season and not individual crop issues or problems with spring, summer, or fall plantings • Try new crops and old crops at different times and using different methods