Vermont Spring Freeze May Have Caused Extensive Crop Damage

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Vermont officials are concerned that widespread frost across the state last week may have severely damaged thousands of acres of crops, including fruits, produce, berries and wine.

Temperatures dropped below freezing in many areas for a sustained time causing early spring crops to freeze. According to the National Weather Service in Burlington, many below freezing temperatures were recorded overnight May 17th into the early morning hours of May 18th, including a record low of 25 degrees Fahrenheit in Montpelier while Burlington tied its record low of 28 degrees.

Anson Tebbetts, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, said the “extent of the damage may not be known for several weeks but early indications are discouraging.”

The owners and operators of Shelburne Vineyard in Shelburne gave a tour of some of the damage to officials, noting that although some damage is obvious now, other impacts are a wait-and-see process. They said they know other farmers are facing similar questions.

Kendra Knapik, president of the Vermont Grape and Wine Council said, the frost and plummeting temperatures caused at least 50% of primary bud loss in many Vermont vineyards throughout the state. “We will need to wait and see how this event will impact the industry statewide, but with so many farmers being affected it’s likely to have deleterious economic ramifications for many of these small businesses,” Knapik said.

The University of Vermont (UVM) Extension service is working with farmers and producers across the state to understand the scope of the damage.

The U.S, Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides crop protection for weather related losses in certain circumstances.

“FSA understands the impact this weather event has had on Vermont growers,” said John Roberts, Vermont FSA state executive director. “Our county office staff are available to discuss losses experienced and help growers seek potential program benefits to offset those losses.”