Widespread drought in 2020 affected agriculture across the state of Maine. In response, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) activated permissions for emergency haying and grazing of acres normally set aside through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). In September, FSA additionally designated Aroostook County (home to Maine’s potato industry) as a primary national disaster area, opening the door for producers in Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties who were negatively impacted by the drought to access federal emergency loans.
This week, the University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture, in cooperation with University of Maine Extensions and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), released a report documenting the effects of the 2020 drought on Maine agriculture. This report documents the experiences of agricultural producers from a variety of sectors, specifically their experiences with drought and its effects in 2020 and the five years prior.
Key findings
The majority of survey respondents reported that, in most years, they typically have enough water to meet their farm’s needs. However, only one-third reported that this was true in 2020. In fact, over half reported that they did not have sufficient water to meet their farms’ needs during the 2020 drought.
All producer groups who responded to this survey reported higher than normal losses in 2020. Lowbush blueberry producers were hardest hit, both in terms of percentage of producers reporting losses, and the percentage of crop yield lost.
Following the 2020 drought, a notable proportion of respondents indicated an interest in expanding their water use for various purposes, including for irrigation, milk processing, and livestock watering. Other drought adaptation approaches reported by farmers include mulching, cover cropping, changing the timing of key management activities, using high tunnels, greenhouses, or other covered structures, and changing crop or variety types in response to drier conditions.
There are many respondents who use one water source for both household and farm purposes. Reduced water supply during times of drought not only affects farm operations, but also basic household functions.
To improve water access, respondents are interested in investing in soil health, irrigation, building additional ponds, expanding electrical access for pumps, and drilling additional wells. There is a need for additional information, technical assistance, and financial assistance for practices such as water quality assessments, soil moisture monitoring, navigating surface and groundwater regulations, measuring the volume of water needed for agricultural purposes, and ensuring sufficient water access to meet production needs. There is an opportunity to connect more farmers with Extension, other services providers, and USDA-NRCS and FSA programs to further develop on-farm practices that support soil health and efficient water use on farms, and make financial support available to farmers when needed (i.e., disaster assistance, crop insurance).
Changing weather patterns associated with climate change are having negative effects on Maine agriculture. Respondents report concern about reduced crop quality, poor crop and cover crop germination, and increased labor needs associated with irrigation. Respondents also noted that extreme weather events make it more difficult to access their fields, increases erosion and soil loss, and have negative effects on crew health and wellbeing. An overwhelming majority of respondents reported concern about climate change in general and changing weather patterns.
Find the full report here.
