Monterey County Ag business updates estimate of storm-related losses
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Monterey County’s agriculture industry lost an estimated $336 million following a series of storms in January, according to the county agricultural commissioner. The estimate includes losses during the storms as well as projected future losses.“It’s significant. It speaks to the powerhouse of ag not only in this community but in the United States and in the world,” said Kim Stemler, the executive director of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. “To have a storm like this come through and damage so much of the Salinas Valley is really tremendous.”Of the total estimate, $324 million is from losses in crops that were washed out in the storms and future crops that can’t be planted on schedule as a result. The agricultural commissioner says more than 15,000 acres of farmland was damaged. Romaine lettuce, strawberries, wine grapes, carrots, broccoli and garlic were most impacted. “These were areas primarily in the southern part of the county. Areas that were close to the Salinas River where we had some levees break and it resulted in some flooded areas and fields. We had some direct damages to growers that had a crop in the ground that got washed away,” said agricultural commissioner Juan Hidalgo.Hidalgo estimates the industry sustained over $9 million in infrastructure damage. Farmers say these effects highlight bigger issues like river management.”We do have to do a better job in working with the county and local and federal agencies to have the ability to maintain rivers right because when that doesn’t happen there are the chances the levee breaks and the river overflowing has a huge impact not just on growers but our community as well,” said Hidalgo.While the storms caused extensive damage, ag leaders see an opportunity to collaborate to prepare for future storms.”It seems like some of these weather events have become more dramatic whether it’s a drought for several years or storms that come in all at once. It seems like we are entering this pattern of uncertainty with our weather so how do we work with our agencies to support our growers and our communities as well and be able to better plan for those types of events,” Hidalgo said.The agricultural commissioner does not foresee any major impacts at grocery stores as a result of the storm damage.Farmers who sustained storm damage are encouraged to apply for disaster assistance through the USDA. They are also asked to fill out the commissioner’s survey so they can continue to collect data.
Monterey County’s agriculture industry lost an estimated $336 million following a series of storms in January, according to the county agricultural commissioner. The estimate includes losses during the storms as well as projected future losses.
“It’s significant. It speaks to the powerhouse of ag not only in this community but in the United States and in the world,” said Kim Stemler, the executive director of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. “To have a storm like this come through and damage so much of the Salinas Valley is really tremendous.”
Of the total estimate, $324 million is from losses in crops that were washed out in the storms and future crops that can’t be planted on schedule as a result. The agricultural commissioner says more than 15,000 acres of farmland was damaged. Romaine lettuce, strawberries, wine grapes, carrots, broccoli and garlic were most impacted.
“These were areas primarily in the southern part of the county. Areas that were close to the Salinas River where we had some levees break and it resulted in some flooded areas and fields. We had some direct damages to growers that had a crop in the ground that got washed away,” said agricultural commissioner Juan Hidalgo.
Hidalgo estimates the industry sustained over $9 million in infrastructure damage. Farmers say these effects highlight bigger issues like river management.
“We do have to do a better job in working with the county and local and federal agencies to have the ability to maintain rivers right because when that doesn’t happen there are the chances the levee breaks and the river overflowing has a huge impact not just on growers but our community as well,” said Hidalgo.
While the storms caused extensive damage, ag leaders see an opportunity to collaborate to prepare for future storms.
“It seems like some of these weather events have become more dramatic whether it’s a drought for several years or storms that come in all at once. It seems like we are entering this pattern of uncertainty with our weather so how do we work with our agencies to support our growers and our communities as well and be able to better plan for those types of events,” Hidalgo said.
The agricultural commissioner does not foresee any major impacts at grocery stores as a result of the storm damage.
Farmers who sustained storm damage are encouraged to apply for disaster assistance through the USDA. They are also asked to fill out the commissioner’s survey so they can continue to collect data.
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