Organic vegetable farms are wildly diverse, producing on average about seven different crop species at a time, and as many as 70! These diversified organic farms can have cascading benefits to the soil, birds, bees, and even local economies. However, diversified organic farmers face challenges in reliably producing some crops due to the escalating instability caused by climate change-induced extreme weather events and pressure from pests and diseases. To help them overcome these challenges, researchers are investigating protective row covers -fine-mesh netting barriers- as a dual solution to pest and climate challenges for fruits and vegetables on diversified organic farms.  

For more information visit outreach website: Crops Under Cover! 

_{This work is supported by the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, project award no. 2023-51300-40855, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.} 

_{Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.}