By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent FRANKFORT, Ky. — As Bluegrass farmers take stock of their losses due to the freezing conditions experienced earlier this month, government officials are working to help curb the damage by asking for assistance.
Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher sent a letter last week to USDA Secretary Mike Johanns requesting federal disaster assistance be made available to the farmers across the state.
“Kentucky experienced lower than normal temperatures which destroyed many of the Commonwealth’s crops,” Fletcher wrote. “From April 5-10, 2007 the average low temperature reported for the Bluegrass Area was 25 degrees. In early reports, it appears crops with a loss greater than 30 percent include: strawberries, alfalfa, wheat, peaches, apples, pears, grapes, blueberries and barley. This damage was increased by the unseasonably warm temperatures in late March.
“The devastation was widespread throughout the state from Ashland to the Mississippi River. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture specialists estimate that winter wheat yields could be reduced at least 50 percent. Wheat accounted for $66 million in farm-gate receipts to Kentucky growers in 2005. Early estimates report close to a 100 percent loss on orchards and first cuttings of alfalfa.”
Ultimately, consumers will feel the brunt of the devastation as well, as prices for certain fruits and vegetables will likely rise as the year progresses.
Jeff Dabbelt is the manager of the Lexington Farmers’ Market, the largest in the state, and thinks diversification will place a role in who gets what to the market this year.
“How much we will be affected may not be apparent until later in the year, but the business model of each producer could determine how well they do,” he said. “A diversity in products should minimize the risk for growers unlike those who put all their eggs in one basket.”
Dana and Trudie Reed of Reed Valley Orchard near Paris, Ky. sell at the Lexington Market and are depending on a lot of faith to get them through this tough time.
“We have to step out on our faith that we can get through this,” said Trudie.
The Reeds planted their first trees in 1988 and now have over 3,000 apple trees, as well as pumpkins, berries, peaches and pears. They also have an on-farm market for their fruit along with crafts, edible treats, and gift boxes for shipping.
While extension damage has been done to their produce, the Reeds, like many farmers, live off the land and take what is handed to them from Mother Nature.
“When the weather got so warm in March, I knew it could not be good. It’s supposed to be cold in March,” said Trudie. “It’s good to have the warm temperatures, but it doesn’t always turn out good. I know for a fact the Bible says the seasons will change and we are experiencing the Word, period.”
Not all is lost in the Reed Orchard. Trudie said she thought they may get some blueberries after all and she doesn’t know about the blackberries but she hopes they’ll have some fruit coming on.
Producers across the state and throughout much of the eastern
U.S. will have to take a wait-and-see attitude while they hope for some salvage of their crops as well as word on help from the government, but many have seen ups and downs in their operations and folks like the Reeds will rely on more than just luck to recover.
“You have to hang in, hang on and keep looking up,” said Trudie Reed. “I have faith that we will get through this. If it is meant to be, it will be and pity parties don’t work too well.” This farm news was published in the April 25, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
