Despite brutal cold, winter conditions benefit New England farms. Livestock are well adapted to low temperatures and snow protects soils while supporting spring growing conditions.

Austin Sigety, farmer and owner of Tampa-based Frogmore Fresh, described how the sudden freeze left many Florida blueberry growers caught off guard, with little time or resources to prepare.

While the seafood and fragrance heists generated big returns for suspect Romoy Forbes, the blueberries were a bust, according ...