How the Shock of Catastrophic Floods Is Changing Farming in Vermont

When a couple purchased an organic vegetable farm in South Royalton, Vt., they were comforted by the dense buffer of shrubs and trees between their fields and the nearby river. However, despite these precautions, their farm was flooded by a devastating storm in July 2021. This event has prompted them and thousands of other Vermont farmers to consider how to plan for a future where climate change may increase the frequency of extreme storms. Vermont farmers have already made adjustments to their practices due to climate change, such as tapping maple trees earlier and being more cautious with berry crops. Nonetheless, the mountainous terrain of the state and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean make it challenging to fully mitigate the risks posed by more frequent extreme weather events.