In 20, on the other hand, we saw some of the wettest years on record in our region, and many farms lost all of their crops. Prior to 2015, we did not have to irrigate our farm and relied on natural rain cycles, but after experiencing some of the worst droughts in years, we set up an irrigation system to help in future years. Crops such as Passionflower, Echinacea, Lemon Balm, Astragalus, and Ashwagandha have all been impacted. The Consequences of Climate Change on Herbal Farming and Harvesting around the World Unpredictable Weather on the Gaia Herbs FarmĮxtreme weather patterns have directly affected all farmers in Western North Carolina in recent years, including farmers here at the Gaia Herbs farm. Other times, even a proactive approach cannot change nature's course. With unpredictable weather patterns, farmers are often unable to respond proactively to these fluctuations. Additionally, increased diseases in soil due to hotter days, and changes in insect patterns, which are at times unseen of before, all impact farm operations. When unusual flooding, droughts, early frost, and late frosts occur, crop yields are affected which impact farm profit. Many small holder farmers have developed systems that rely on historical weather patterns that have been passed down through generations, rather than Doppler radar systems. How Climate Change is Impacting Growing & Sourcing Herbsįarmers are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather fluctuations brought on by climate change. A topic that has also been increasingly revealed to us is the impact of climate change on farmers and our botanical supply web. Through global visits, communications, and observations, a glimpse of culture, ecology, and phytochemical interactions is revealed to us on a continuous basis. Since 1997, we have also expanded our own cultivation of medicinal herbs on the Gaia Farm in Brevard, NC, experiencing first-hand the rewards and challenges of growing and processing medicinal herbs. At Gaia Herbs, we are fortunate to have cultivated deep relationships with our botanical partner network over the last thirty years visiting farmers and wild-harvesters across the world who are stewarding nature's medicine. Growing and sourcing organic herbs is a complex, fascinating, and eye-opening experience.
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