Climate takes its toll on the "cherry capital of the world"

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Grist or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: An unusually mild winter followed by a warm, wet spring with torrential rains led to severe crop losses
• Up to 75% of the state's sweet cherry crop was lost, and although tart cherry production in northwest Michigan increased by nearly 40% over the previous year, the quality of the fruit declined

🔭 The context: Michigan produces about 20% of the nation's sweet cherries and approximately 75% of its tart cherries
• Climate change has introduced erratic weather patterns, including warmer winters and increased rainfall, fostering conditions for pests and diseases like brown rot, which further diminish crop yields

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The challenges faced by Michigan's cherry growers exemplify the broader impact of climate change on agriculture, threatening crop viability and food security
• Farmers are incurring higher costs to combat these issues, jeopardizing the sustainability of their operations

⏭️ What's next: Growers are adapting by planting different varieties and adopting high-density orchards to reduce costs and improve quality
• State officials and the federal government have intervened, with the Department of Agriculture approving emergency assistance to cover crop losses through a federal disaster declaration

💬 One quote: "It’s getting more and more expensive to farm," said Raul Gomez, operations manager at Wunsch Farms. "You’re spending a lot more money getting to the finish line"

📈 One stat: As much as 75% of Michigan's sweet cherry crop was lost this season due to adverse weather conditions

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