Adapting Production Strategies for Extreme Heat

This page provides resources for dealing with extreme heat and changing temperature trends in the Northeast. CISA is available to provide guidance and assist your adaptation planning. Email or call the Climate Program at climate@buylocalfood.org/413-665-7100 ext. 10 to request support. 

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40447. 

General Resources:

• The UMass Extension Vegetable Program is a resource for technical assistance and guidance on produce safety, pest and disease management, and other climate adaptation-related topics. The Veg Notes newsletter provides regular updates during the growing season about challenges such as pest or disease concerns, which can be useful for staying informed as growing conditions become more unpredictable with climate change.

Adaptation Planning Tools: 

• View webinar, “Impacts of Increasing Annual Temperatures for New England Farms,” with Sara Kelemen, exploring climate trends and projected impacts on agriculture. At minute 1:10:10 Sarah explains several tools available for monitoring weather and adapting farm practices to climate change.
• Climate Smart Farming Decision Tools from Cornell Extension: Tools for cover crop scheduling and monitoring apple freeze damage probability, and a growing degree day calculator, among other resources.
• Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Planning Tool from Northeast Climate Hub: Template for assessing climate risk and making climate adaptation decisions.

Food Safety and Storage: 

• Tip sheet compiled by UMass Extension summarizing risks to food safety from warming temperatures and preventative strategies. Additional information on food safety for farmers is available through UMass here.
• Resources through UVM Extension Ag Engineering: Includes fact sheets, case studies, and equipment recommendations related to cooling and cold storage, wash/pack equipment, and other postharvest guidance.  

Seed Selection:

• View webinar, “Selecting Heat Tolerant Crops and Seed Varieties,” discussing guidance for adapting seed selection and planting plans for warmer temperatures and periods of extreme heat.

Soil Management

• View webinar, “Soil Management for Climate Resilience,” with Caro Roszell of American Farmland Trust, discussing impacts of increasing year-round temperatures and extreme heat on soil moisture, nutrient levels, and other elements of soil quality.
• Soil Temperature and Moisture Maps: Compare current soil temperatures to historical soil temperatures and past years.
• Soil Carbon Amendment Webinar from AFT an NRCS: Resource exploring techniques for improving soil quality and resilience thorough building organic matter and addressing soil health concerns.
• Irrigation Systems & Methods Webinar from Johnny’s Selected Seeds: Resource page and webinar discussing irrigation management with consideration for weather and soil type.

Pest and Disease Management:

• IPM Forecasts and Weather Data from Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA): IPM tools linked with real-time weather data, to monitor projected emergence and pressure from specific pests.

Adaptation for Farmers’ Markets: 

• View webinar, “Planning and Adapting for Heat and Other Climate Impacts at Farmers’ Markets,” exploring strategies for food safety, planning for weather emergencies, and protecting workers and customers at farmers’ markets.
• Example of market safety and emergency protocol from Seattle Farmers Markets.
• Template for market emergency procedures from Michigan Food and Farming Systems.

Adaptation for Urban Farms: 

• View webinar, “Climate Resilience on Urban Farms,” featuring a panel of growers discussing specific challenges and adaptation strategies for dealing with climate and extreme heat in urban growing environments.
• UMass Urban Ag Program: General resource for technical assistance for urban growers, including support on climate adaptation.