US EditionWater Woes, Hot Summers, Labor Costs Are Haunting Pumpkin Farmers in the West
- Farmers in the Southwest and West are facing water challenges due to human-caused climate change exacerbating drought and heat extremes. The hot, dry weather this summer, along with dwindling groundwater levels, has made it difficult for pumpkin growers to irrigate their crops effectively.
- Some farmers had to reduce their pumpkin crop due to a reduction in water delivery. The high temperatures and lack of irrigation have caused pumpkins to decompose during shipping. These challenges, coupled with increasing costs, have made pumpkin farming less viable.
- Overuse of aquifers and reduced rainfall due to climate change are long-term concerns that compound the water scarcity issue. Despite these obstacles, some farmers remain hopeful and plan to try again next year.
28 Articles
28 Articles
Water woes, hot summers and labor costs are haunting pumpkin farmers in the West
By MELINA WALLING and BRITTANY PETERSON The Associated Press Hudson, CO. Alan Mazzotti can see the Rocky Mountains about 30 miles west of his pumpkin patch in northeast Colorado on a clear day. He could tell the snow was abundant last winter, and verified it up close when he floated through fresh powder alongside his wife and three sons at the popular Winter Park Resort. But one season of above-average snowfall wasn’t enough to refill the dwind…
Water Woes, Hot Summers, Labor Costs Are Haunting Pumpkin Farmers in the West
Alan Mazzotti can see the Rocky Mountains about 30 miles west of his pumpkin patch in northeast Colorado on a clear day. He could tell the snow was abundant last winter, and verified it up close when he floated through fresh powder alongside his wife and three sons at the popular Winter Park Resort. But one season of above-average snowfall wasn't enough to refill the dwindling reservoir he relies on to irrigate his pumpkins. He received news thi…
Water woes, hot summers and labor costs are haunting pumpkin farmers in the West - Boston News, Weather, Sports
Hudson, CO. (AP) — Alan Mazzotti can see the Rocky Mountains about 30 miles west of his pumpkin patch in northeast Colorado on a clear day. He could tell the snow was abundant last winter, and verified it up close when he floated through fresh powder alongside his wife and three sons at the popular Winter Park Resort. But one season of above-average snowfall wasn’t enough to refill the dwindling reservoir he relies on to irrigate his pumpkins. H…
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