Maine's Blueberry Industry Threatened By Changing Climate

HARRINGTON, MAINE - AUGUST 8: Jonathan Cowland places a box of blueberries on a sorter to remove twigs, leaves, and unacceptable blueberries before the blueberries are packed for sale at independent wild Maine blueberry Lynch Hill Farms on August 8, 2025 in Harrington, Maine. Independent wild Maine blueberry growers in the state are experiencing challenging times as their crops face several threats posed by climate change, from increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts, floods, destructive frost, and warmer temperatures. Courtney Hammond, Lynch Hill Farms manager, thinks his business is possibly in jeopardy as his crops are producing fewer marketable berries than normal. He, along with other independent growers, continues to try to adapt to the weather, but they could be reaching the point of no return, said Mr. Hammond. (Footage by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)