Autonomous vehicles transporting food to hard-hit areas in China. New partnerships linking supply chains. And grocery stores limiting hours and enforcing social-distancing rules.

Every business sector today has been affected by the pandemic. But one sector, the one deemed “essential” by governments globally, has reacted with a series of creative solutions to maintain its critical link at all ends of the food chain. Experts say leaders’ creativity and speed of change alone are among the bright spots in an otherwise deeply gloomy economic environment these days.

As temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, farmers across the country face the daunting task of protecting their crops and livestock from the harsh realities of winter weather. From freezing temperatures to heavy snowfall, the winter season can wreak havoc on even the most well-prepared agricultural operations.