Rain is a Good Thing
Ever since the summer started, we have experienced a wide range of weather. We started with a really dry May, our grass started to dry, and we got worried about the level of water in our ponds. Then the smoke from the Canadian fires came to town and really created issues with the air quality. There were times when you looked outside and observed skies that just seemed otherworldly. For the last two weeks, we’ve been alternating between hot and humid and sporadic but fierce thunderstorms. This pattern of weather, smoke-filled air, rain, and hot, humid days looks to be what will bring us into July as well.
As crazy as the weather has been these past weeks, I suppose we should be grateful. With the smoke changing the air quality for so many, there is much comparison to the year 1816 also known as the Year Without a Summer. The largest eruption in recorded history—of Mount Tambora, in what is now Indonesia—caused so much ash in the atmosphere that global temperatures dropped in the summer of 1816, causing unusual cold and food shortages. According to legend, The Old Farmer’s Almanac founder actually predicted snow that summer.
“The volcanic dust covered Earth like a great cosmic umbrella, dimming the Sun’s effectiveness during the whole cold year. This resulted in a further reduction in solar irradiance, which brought record cold to much of the world during the following summer. There was so much ash in the atmosphere the 1816 Sun was “in a cloud of smoke.” May frosts killed off most crops in upstate New York and the higher elevations of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. On June 6, snow fell in Albany, New York, and Dennysville, Maine. In Cape May, New Jersey, frost was reported five nights in a row in late June, causing extensive crop damage. Lake and river ice was observed as far south as northwestern Pennsylvania in July, with frost reported as far south as Virginia on August 20 and 21.”*
Numerous diary entries from that time speak of keeping fires going to warm the house, ice, and frost in July, and the fear of widespread crop losses. Corn never grew, and the price of oats quadrupled. I can’t imagine how hard and challenging that would have been. We have all felt the effects of changing weather patterns in terms of local produce, delayed appearances in vendors, and the increase in prices due to costs associated with farming- feeds, fuel, and products in the past couple of years. Thankfully, with transportation options, we do have access to foods from other areas of the country to keep us fed and our pantries stocked. But now, imagine you were back in 1816, facing food supply issues without access to other food markets, limited communication means, and limited options to deal with the unexpected weather. So while we may have rain put a damper on the fireworks, or a hot, muggy day for our picnic, at least we aren’t planning to shovel snow. The recent rain has also replenished our fields in what is a very vital time for most crops. Our ponds, lakes, and watersheds have gained vital water.
Rain or shine, the market is open, and we look forward to having you all stop by and pick up everything you need to eat well for this holiday weekend. We have all the regular vendors and a few surprises as well. Music will be playing from 11-1. Come on by, grab some good food and beverages, tap your toes to the music, and I bet you’ll even bump into a neighbor or two. The Farmers and Makers Market is the perfect way to start off this weekend! And remember, rain is not a bad thing!
*Reference and quote from the Old Farmer’s Almanac
GREG
MARKET MANAGER