Farmers Prepare for Cold Weather in Potential Loss of Crops

Oct 20, 2022

By Jake Reyes and Kennedy Mason

As people bundle up for the cold, Alachua County farmers prepared crops for cooler weather.

Wednesday marked the first time this fall season that temperatures dropped below 50 degrees in Alachua County.

Cody Galligan, a farmer with Siembra Farms, told WUFT News low temperatures can damage kale, lettuce and yuca. Damaged crops can lead to less fruits and vegetables to harvest. It can also cause longer working hours for farmers. Galligan said If temperatures continue to be low and hinder plant growth, sales at farmers markets may take a hit.

“We could lose up to thousands, ten thousand dollars of crop in the field,” he said.

In an attempt to minimize this, farmers at Siembra Farms covered up plants with frost cloth.

The white fabric is designed to have frost settle on top of the sheet, rather than on the leaves of the plants they cover.However, Galligan said frost cloths don’t completely prevent damage.

He has harvested crops for more than two decades. This is the first time he’s had to cover plants at this time of year.

“We’ve never had a frost this early in Gainesville, and I’ve been farming for 14 years,” Galligan said. “So, it’s a little surprising to get a frost in the middle of October.”

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Video: Why Port Infrastructure is Key to Growing Canada's Farms and Economy

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) knows that strong, modern port infrastructure is vital to the success of Canada’s agriculture. When our ports grow, Ontario grain farmers and Canadian farms grow too—and when we grow, Canada grows.

In this video, we highlight the importance of investing in port infrastructure and how these investments are key to growing Ontario agriculture and supporting global trade. The footage showcases the strength of both Ontario’s farming landscapes and vital port operations, including some key visuals from HOPA Ports, which we are grateful to use in this project.

Ontario’s grain farmers rely on efficient, sustainable ports and seaway systems to move grain to markets around the world. Port investments are crucial to increasing market access, driving economic growth, and ensuring food security for all Canadians.

Why Port Infrastructure Matters:

Investing in Ports = Investing in Farms: Modernized ports support the export of Canadian grain, driving growth in agriculture.

Sustainable Growth: Learn how stronger ports reduce environmental impact while boosting economic stability.

Global Trade Opportunities: Improved port and seaway systems help farmers access new global markets for their grain.

Stronger Communities: Investment in ports means more stable jobs and economic growth for rural communities across Ontario and Canada.

We are proud to support the ongoing investment in port infrastructure and to shine a light on its vital role in feeding the world and securing a prosperous future for Canadian agriculture.

Special thanks to HOPA Ports for providing some of the stunning port footage featured in this video.