“2011 was a year of extremes in New York, with a wet spring followed by a very hot and dry early summer,” reports Stephen Reiners (right), Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University in his annual vegetable report. (See New York Fresh Market Production Stays Steady While Processing Vegetables Decline in 2011.)
“Catastrophic flooding rains in late summer in eastern NY ruined crops and severely damaged many farms. Planted acres for fresh market vegetables were down slightly, to about 85,000 or a decline of about 4%. The value declined about 10% as the weather decreased average yields. Cabbage was once again the most valuable vegetable crop in New York with a value of $87 million. For fresh market crops, sweet corn continues to be grown on the most acres at 23,300.”