A recent survey has found that the winter storms that hit Monterey County, California earlier this year have caused over $600 million in damages and future losses to agriculture in the region.
According to the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, the survey was conducted over a period of several weeks and involved farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural stakeholders in the area. The survey revealed that the winter storms caused significant damage to crops, infrastructure, and equipment, as well as loss of livestock.
The most affected crops included strawberries, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and other leafy greens. The survey found that these crops suffered damages in the form of crop loss, reduced yield, and quality. Other crops that were severely affected included artichokes, brussels sprouts, and celery.
The survey also found that many farmers and ranchers in the region are still struggling to recover from the damage caused by the storms. Many are facing significant financial losses and are in need of assistance to get back on their feet.
In response to the survey findings, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has allocated $20 million in funding to support agricultural recovery efforts in the region. The funding will be used to provide emergency relief to farmers and ranchers, as well as to support long-term recovery and resiliency efforts.
Officials are urging affected farmers and ranchers to take advantage of the available resources and to contact the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office for assistance.
The winter storms that hit Monterey County earlier this year were some of the most severe in recent memory, with heavy rain and strong winds causing widespread damage throughout the region. The damage caused by the storms is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of California’s agriculture industry to extreme weather events and the urgent need for increased resiliency measures to protect this vital sector of the state’s economy.