Hannah Smith-Brubaker, executive director of Pasa Sustainable Agriculture, has heard of a lot of farmers opening up direct-to-consumer sales and of fruit growers switching varieties to handle warm weather. “If you do have chickens on your premises, that can stop not only your chicken business, if it would come to your farm, but all the other business,” Roth said. For example, Pennsylvania is dealing with an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Michael Roth, policy director at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, said changes to the climate can open up potential for diseases and invasive species. 20, 2022.Įxperts say diversification can make farmers less vulnerable to a changing climate, though there will be nuances. Lavender fields at Maple Lawn Farms in York County on Sept. The farm hosted its first lavender festival this summer, during which guests could make sachets of lavender and take Instagram-worthy photos. The plants start blooming in June, attracting pollinators to the farm and extending the agro-tourism season even longer. McPherson said the soil in the field is too thin and dry for corn, but perfect for drought-tolerant lavender. He grew five varieties totaling around 2,000 plants to spread out the bloom time of the flowers. McPherson said he is surprised by his latest crop: an acre of lavender planted on a ridge overlooking a large valley. 20, 2022 about the initiatives Maple Lawn Farms has taken to stay in business over the years. Hugh McPherson, a fifth generation farmer, talks on Sept. Fruit damaged by a hail storm, for example, can still be pressed for juice to make wine. It’s a way to attract more visitors by offering another experience as well as to lower risk and reduce waste. Maple Lawn Farms has started making wine. Over the years he’s added a kid-centered fun park – with puzzles, games, and small rides like slides – and a winery. McPherson said he wants to offer guests good quality produce, and he wants them to enjoy the whole farm experience. Most things on the farm are pick-your-own. He chooses crops with a wow factor to attract people. McPherson is hedging his risk with other fruits – blueberries, cherries, and peaches – and even flowers. “So, we have a lot of exposure there and that’s why we’re trying to move to other seasons.” “Because if we lose even one weekend in October with three rainy days, that is a huge chunk of apple harvest, corn maze tickets and everything,” he said. But after particularly wet years in 19 threatened the corn – and ticket sales – McPherson worried they could go out of business. Maple Lawn Farms has offered a corn field maze in the fall for over two decades. McPherson is familiar with extreme weather. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44.Maple Lawn Farms in York County on Sept. Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Snow level rising to 1000 feet in the afternoon. Sunday Night: Rain and snow likely, becoming all snow after 1am. Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow before 10pm, then snow between 10pm and 1am, then rain and snow after 1am. Calm wind becoming southwest between 4 and 7 mph. Saturday: A chance of rain and snow after 4pm. Northeast wind between 3 and 6 mph.įriday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. East wind around 10 mph.įriday: Sunny, with a high near 39. Forecast Valid: 2am PST Feb 24, 2023-6pm PST Mar 2, 2023
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