Latest news with #DanYarnick
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
US farmers scramble as heavy rains devastate key crops: 'It's going to be rough'
In a summer of weather extremes across the United States, farmers near Pittsburgh are contending with vast amounts of rainfall. CBS News shared Dan Yarnick's story; his field of sweet corn was submerged, and 40 of his 250 acres were flooded. What's happening? Pittsburgh has received 22.66 inches of rainfall this year compared to its year-to-date average of 20.36 inches, according to RainDrop. May received 5.73 inches, and June received 6.30. Farmers throughout the region have been struggling with the extra rain. Jim Lindsey told the Herald-Standard that his farm ran behind schedule this year because of all the rain. Mark Duda told the Herald-Standard that "It's been the complete opposite of last year and it's been incredibly challenging." These challenges impact not only the farmers' livelihoods but also international food supplies. Why is extreme weather important? Human-caused climate change is exacerbating extreme weather conditions around the world. Scientific consensus agrees that human activity, particularly the pollution of the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels like coal and oil, has led to unprecedented changes in the climate. These changes can supercharge extreme weather events and natural disasters. Farmers worldwide have been struggling with the effects of extreme weather on their crops. These phenomena have struck Italy's cherry crops, Turkey's seasonal fruits and vegetables, and Brazil's citrus crops. Those are just a few elements of the food supply that are suffering from the impacts of climate change. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. When these crops fail, farmers cannot sell them, putting their income in jeopardy. It also raises the cost of groceries, as there are fewer of these items. What's being done about climate change? Many governments around the world signed the 2015 Paris Agreement, which expressed the countries' pledges to limit pollution and try to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. Governments are also implementing programs to help farmers who lose crops to natural disasters. In the United States, the Department of Agriculture offers the Disaster Set-Aside Program, which allows farmers to move repayment dates on loans to avoid some of the financial burden while they focus on recovering from a failed crop. According to farmers are adopting all kinds of strategies to adapt to the challenges of climate change, including modeling tools, new water management strategies, and sustainable and climate-resilient crop varieties. Farming was already a tough profession, and it doesn't seem to be getting any easier. "It's going to be rough," Yarnick told CBS News. "We need some sunshine. We all need it, and the crops need it." Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Heavy rains threaten crops across Pittsburgh-area farms
Farmers in western Pennsylvania are concerned that repeated rainfall and the flooding it leads to could have a significant impact on the amount of crops they can grow this year. At Yarnick's Farm in Armstrong Township, Indiana County, a field of sweet corn was unrecognizable on Wednesday, with the field completely underwater. "I was shocked," said farm owner Dan Yarnick. "These fields were like a lake; everything was underwater." He's had trouble coming to terms with the 40 acres of his 250-acre farm that have flooded. "It's very depressing because you put your heart and soul into this business, plus every damn dime you can get," Yarnick said. Produce from the farm ends up at Pittsburgh-area grocery stores and restaurants like Eat'n Park. The farm has been around since the early 1980s and has been profitable until the past two years. Since then, they have lost $200,000 due to what Varnick said is inflation. By Thursday evening, much of the water had dried up, but not all. A pool of water still sat above part of a cornfield, which meant it was a loss. Yarnick says they should still be able to salvage a lot. "Maybe some will recover. The corn might stand up," Yarnick said. "The peppers, this little pepper field, I had no room. I stuck them in early. They don't like wet feet. They'll get disease, and they won't produce." He said this has been the worst year for flooding in many years, with hit after hit, impacting him and many other fams. He explained there's a potential ripple effect. "Could there be shortages, you know? It could be price hikes," Yarnick said. "But it's definitely gonna hurt." Other farms rely on the Yarnicks to grow corn early in the season so they can sell it in their respective markets. Yarnick is not sure if that will be possible, saying he has to prioritize his market. KDKA-TV also spoke with the owners of a smaller farm outside Slippery Rock in Butler County. Crighton Family Farm has fought flooding and extremely muddy fields. The owners said the combination has stopped them from planting. In their time farming, it's the first time that's ever happened this late in the year, and for the first time, they have even been worried they may not be able to plant at all. "It's going to be rough. It's so consistent," Yarnick said, referring to the rain. "It needs to quit. We need some sunshine. We all need it, and the crops need it." Yarnick needs it, too. "I've been very depressed, to be honest with you, kind of grouchy," Yarnick said. "You know, it's just, it's hard." He openly wonders what the future holds for his farm. He wants to be able to hand the reins to his son, but is not sure if it is possible. "We can only take so many hits," Yarnick said.
