Solutions to increase in climate uncertainty for local agricultural businesses

Springfield Farm and Les Vergers Villeneuve discuss how climate change has impacted their farms through rain, temperature, pests and share what they do to adapt. 

Jade Laviolette- Local Journalism Initiative 

Springfield Farm and Les Vergers Villeneuve reveal how climate change is affecting crops through extreme weather patterns and new pests. They explain that while adapting through diversifying crops, they stress that real progress depends on civic engagement and stronger support for farmers. 

The impact of climate change on agriculture 

Springfield Farm reports that deforestation and extreme weather events, including rain and strong winds, are destroying trees that once served as vital windbreaks for their fields. The farm owner explained how these climate change impacts have led to significant challenges: "It means the weeds—because it rained, got ahead and the oats [were] sacrificed, you know… They never grew."

Additionally, Michel Villeneuve of Les Vergers Villeneuve highlighted that rising temperatures are creating new challenges for farmers in the region, introducing pests and diseases to plants that were nonexistent in  previous years. As he explained: “it brings other problems, when it’s warmer you get all the bugs that we’re not used to here, or disease.” 

Solutions and a call to action

When asked how they are responding to the growing impacts of climate change on agriculture, Les Vergers Villeneuve shared a temporary solution they’ve adopted for some of their crops: “We’re changing the products we produce, and we’re increasing the number of fruit and things we grow. So if something is affected one year, we have the other ones to rely on.” This approach not only helps ensure continued crop production despite unpredictable conditions but also demonstrates a way the farms have been resilient in the face of environmental challenges. 

However, meaningful change requires more than just action from farmers, it also relies on the involvement of the broader community. As Springfield Farm explained, true progress and support demands advocacy and public pressure: “We have to lobby. We have to really engage the community of farmers, not just the consumer. We need to get people engaged. We need as consumers to start saying to our governments, to these bodies that look over agriculture, you’ve got to do more.” This highlights the importance of both grassroots organizations and civic engagement in addressing the challenges climate change poses to agriculture.