Farmers across Virginia brace for ripple effects as NOAA faces deep federal cuts

Virginia farmers worry that cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under President Trump’s administration will make it harder to plan for extreme weather, risking their crops, livestock, and livelihoods.

Virginia Mercury reports.

In short:

• The Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency has cut hundreds of NOAA staff, raising fears that weather forecasting services critical to farmers will be disrupted.
• Virginia’s agriculture sector — worth $82.3 billion and supporting over 380,000 jobs — relies heavily on NOAA’s data for planning and protection against extreme events like drought and hurricanes.
• Reduced weather balloon launches and a proposed 27% budget cut threaten NOAA’s ability to collect atmospheric data that informs decisions about planting, irrigation, and livestock management.

Key quote:

“Without that data stream, they will essentially be thrust back into like the 1700s of what they can do.”

— Vickie Connors, assistant professor at the Center for Environmental Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University

Why this matters:

Accurate weather forecasts are the lifeline of modern agriculture. In Virginia, where farmers already contend with intensifying weather patterns linked to climate change, NOAA’s tools provide essential insights into storms, droughts, and temperature swings. These forecasts help farmers determine when to plant, harvest, irrigate, or protect livestock. In recent years, unpredictable climate shifts — like hurricane-driven floods and record-breaking droughts — have battered farms across the state. Reliable forecasting helps reduce the economic toll, supports food security, and protects rural livelihoods. NOAA also supplies early warnings that save lives during natural disasters. Gutting its workforce and budget weakens a public safety infrastructure that millions depend on, especially as extreme weather becomes more frequent.

Read more: Trump’s government cuts disrupt NOAA forecasts and data collection