Weather Watchers: Storms

Though most days we have predictable weather patterns—sunny days, cloudy days, days with a little drizzle or snow—every once in a while we do get a weather event that earns a name, like the Blizzard of ’96 or Hurricane Sandy. These are storms we have to prepare for. Farmers prepare for these storms in different ways in order to protect their crops. Whether it is an unexpected drop in temperature, hail, or severe winds, farmers need to be ready so their crops aren’t damaged.

During the summer of 1816, one of these unexpected historic weather events occurred, requiring people to work together to get through the storm. The storm also affected the amount and type of food available. George Macculloch (1775-1858) was living and farming 26-acres of land at Macculloch Hall with his family at the time. Macculloch did not receive weather reports like farmers today, but was helped by a thermometer and a farmer’s almanac. His garden journals from 1829-1856 include notes about the weather, noting severe droughts and extreme temperatures. His notes record New Jersey’s June snowstorm of 1816. Visit Macculloch Hall Historical Museum’s Facebook page at noon today to hear storm stories and learn about the “repulsive” vegetables that people had to eat!

Resources:

• Explore the Old Farmer’s Almanac for kids with a young weather watcher in your life.
• Hear the story, Right This Very Minute: A Table-to-Farm Book about Food and Farming, by Lisl H. Detlefsen, read by Ms. Kathryn at the Poughkeepsie Farm Project.