Cold Snap Lights Fire Under Florida Farmers To Take Stock of Crops
January 31, 2022 The same winter storm/Nor’easter/bomb cyclone that just blanketed the Northeast U.S. with feet of snow and ice also made its chilling presence known deep into the South. Freeze watches and warnings (falling iguana alerts, too) in Florida were in effect days out from the extreme weather event, helping local produce growers prepare for what promised to be long hours of cold protection practices for crops. Despite it being multiple years — for some, more than a decade — since such cold air threatened and made its way well down into the Sunshine State, growers were ready and up for the task.
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A quick look through social media posts provided some instant feedback from the fields of how growers took on the cold snap. Fruit, vegetable, and citrus growers all were affected.
Scroll the slideshow above of some shared images captured during and after the cold snap.
Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) reports early indications are that temperatures across the state did not get quite as cold as some had predicted, but assessments were still ongoing.
Per a memo sent to members by FCM Executive VP/CEO Mike Sparks:
“We have already had reports from the field that there may have been some colder pockets leading to potential damage in parts of the Flatwoods area including Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto counties. As you have a chance to go out and evaluate your own groves in the coming days, we want to hear from you. If you experienced sustained sub-freezing temperatures and resulting damage, please email Tamara Wood ([email protected]) or Matt Joyner ([email protected]) with your location and a brief update on what you’re seeing in your groves.”
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