Upper Peninsula Farms Weather the Storm: Resilience in the Face of Extreme Snowfall
The recent blizzard that swept through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.) has presented significant challenges for local farmers, adding to an already difficult winter season. Farms like Case Country Farm in Chatham and Pileated Farms, also in Chatham, are adapting to unprecedented snowfall levels, impacting everything from animal care to greenhouse operations.
A Season of Challenges: Snowfall and its Impact
Farmers in the U.P. Are accustomed to harsh winters, but this year’s conditions have been exceptional. Trevor Case of Case Country Farm noted, “We’ve only been operating for nine years, so What we have is definitely more snow than we’ve ever, ever had to deal with, especially in one storm.” The heavy snowfall has strained resources, disrupted routines, and created survival situations for both farmers and their livestock.
The timing of the storm was particularly difficult, coinciding with piglet season – a traditionally busy period. Case Country Farm suffered the loss of two greenhouses due to previous storms, eliminating their primary farrowing barn. “We are makeshifting everything possible,” Case explained, detailing the use of trailers and huts with extra straw to provide shelter for the piglets.
Olivia Kingery of Pileated Farms echoed these sentiments, stating that the U.P. Has experienced a lack of the usual mid-winter thaws, leading to a substantial snowpack. “Usually we get a few good thaws in January and/or February, but those reprieves never came. And after this drop, there isn’t much more room to put it all!”
Adapting to Survive: Farmers’ Strategies
Faced with these challenges, U.P. Farmers are demonstrating remarkable resilience and ingenuity. Pre-storm preparation has been key, with farmers staging essential supplies – food, water, and bedding – close to their animals to minimize exposure during the blizzard.
Both Case and Kingery highlighted the difficulties posed by high snowdrifts, which render fences ineffective and allow animals to wander. However, they emphasized that animals are often more adaptable than people realize. Kingery noted her chickens continued to lay eggs at a high rate even during the peak of the blizzard, and her goats and sheep were content with extra hay and bedding.
Case explained that animals generally remain close to shelter when provided with warmth, food, and water, even if fences are breached. “If they have a warm bed, straw, food and water they wont leave that area,” he said. “We can control where they go and what they do with the snowblower.”
The Value of Local Farming and Community Support
Despite the hardships, U.P. Farmers remain committed to their work and their communities. Case emphasized the importance of supporting local agriculture, noting that customers in Marquette are willing to pay a premium for locally sourced, quality food. He also highlighted the personal fulfillment of providing a unique upbringing for his daughters, who are actively involved in farm operations, including bottle-feeding piglets brought indoors during the storm.
Kingery spoke to the reciprocal relationship between farmers and the land, and the incredible support from the local food community. “Being able to steward the land and be stewarded in return by the land is the magic,” she said. “We all live in the middle of nowhere and We find countless people waiting on the wings to help support farmers in so many ways – that is what keeps me joyful and growing.”
Did you recognize?
Snow can actually benefit soil health by adding nitrogen when it melts, providing a natural fertilizer.
FAQ
- How did the blizzard impact U.P. Farms? The blizzard caused significant challenges, including the loss of greenhouses, difficulties with animal care, and increased strain on resources.
- What strategies are farmers using to cope with the extreme snowfall? Farmers are focusing on pre-storm preparation, providing extra shelter and supplies for animals, and adapting to fence failures.
- What is the role of community support in helping U.P. Farmers? Local customers are willing to pay a premium for locally sourced food, and the community provides valuable assistance to farmers.
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