Rutherfordton is one of the oldest towns in Western North Carolina, and it’s long been a central hub for life in Rutherford County. The area’s history is tied closely to farming, early trade routes, and even a short-lived gold rush. While the county is still largely rural, agriculture doesn’t dominate the local economy the way it once did. Even so, livestock operations, nurseries, and small produce farms remain a steady presence across the county’s roughly 566 square miles. Rutherfordton itself includes a mix of family-run farms, community gardens, and long-established homesteads that help keep its agricultural character alive.

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Like many rural communities in North Carolina, Rutherfordton is feeling the effects of a changing climate. Local farmers have seen the seasons become less predictable, with warmer winters, hotter summers, and rainfall that’s either too much at once or not enough when it’s needed. Those shifts influence everything from soil moisture to pest pressure to the quality of pastureland.

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In recent years, prolonged heatwaves and dry spells have taken a toll on crops and animals in Rutherford County. At the same time, heavy downpours and the occasional flash flood, both linked to broader climate instability, have made it harder for growers to plan their seasons or count on consistent harvests. In response, many farmers have adjusted by moving planting dates, choosing more drought-tolerant varieties, upgrading irrigation, and adopting soil-building practices like no-till methods and cover crops. Farmers here are used to working around the weather, but the speed and scale of today’s climate changes are pushing the community to think longer-term and work together in new ways.