We were delighted to have three speakers who are all actively engaged in agriculture/horticulture who talked about their response to our changing climate: Ron Goerler, owner of Jamesport Vineyards, Dennis Schrader from Landcraft Garden, and Tom Wickham of Wickham's Fruit Farm.

Ron spoke about how longer autumns allow the grapes more time to ripen, giving a deeper flavor and higher quality product. Also, there is the challenge of the high cost of labor.

Dennis spoke about how variable our winters can be but nonetheless how more and more plants are surviving our Long Island winters. The weather is erratic, no year is identical. He mentioned the importance of honoring the harvest.

Tom described his experience working internationally and gthe challenge we face in growing basic food for all. Agricultural research has provided him with apples adapted to current climatic conditions. He also spoke about "covered agriculture" and the benefits of having access to growing tomatoes, for example, in greenhouses.

Reach out to us here! https://www.cutchoguecivic.org/contact-8

Read the Suffolk Times article here: https://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/2025/08/cutchogue-civc-meet-and-greet-with-purpose/

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"The organization sees education as their primary mission. They have hosted talks on land preservation, the town parks, battery storage and there is an upcoming event with the highway department. 'There is an important role for us to play in this community now, [as] a mechanism whereby people can be better informed about the challenges we face here, with respect to over development, climate change, those kinds of issues,' said Barbara Butterworth, chair of the Cutchogue Civic Association’s program committee."