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Central New York Farmers Fight for their Crops Central New York Farmers Fight for their Crops

By Rich Rosa

Farmers are navigating the tough weather conditions this summer and looking to sell their crops at the Central New York Regional Farmers Market in Syracuse.
© 2024 Rich Rosa

RICH ROSA REPORTER: ANDREW TURNER IS THE OWNER OF TURNER FAMILY FARMS IN BALDWINSVILLE. HE IS DEALING WITH SEVERE WEATHER JEOPARDIZING HIS VEGETABLES.

ANDREW TURNER: “We’ve had our late cabbage and our late broccoli got flooded out by the torrential downpours couple weeks ago where the tornadoes that hit Rome came from. We got almost three inches of rain in two hours that day.”

RICH ROSA REPORTER: OVER IN NEW BERLIN, HUNTS POND FARM CO-OWNER CAROLYN MCMASTER IS RELYING ON FARMING TECHNOLOGY FOR HER CERTIFIED ORGANIC BLUEBERRIES.

CAROLYN MCMASTER: “We have a drip irrigation system, that means that we have a three-inch hose basically that comes out of a nearby pond. The drip line goes right beside every bush, so it delivers adequate hydration for the berries.”

RICH ROSA REPORTER: MCMASTER EXPLAINED THIS MORNING THAT BLUEBERRIES NEED COOLER WINTERS TO MAXIMIZE PRODUCTION.

RICH ROSA REPORTER: RICH ROSA, N-C-C NEWS.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — Central New York farmers are frustrated this summer as extreme heat and severe weather compromise their crops.

“2024 is the warmest year on record in Syracuse. Every month this year has been well above normal,” according to syracuse.com.

The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-2 tornado touched down in Rome two weeks ago, CNY Central reported.

“For the year, there have been 22 [tornadoes] in New York State, which is 3 short of the record of 25 back in 1992,” according to NewsChannel 9. Tornadoes are occurring due to the summer heat and humidity.

Andrew Turner owns Turner Family Farms in Baldwinsville. The farm grows many crops, such as green beans, summer squash, tomatoes, and peppers.

“The dry and hot temperatures have stressed a lot of the early crops,” said Turner. He is having problems getting crops to customers on time due to excessive rain.

Carolyn McMaster and her husband, Larry McMaster, are co-owners of Hunts Pond Farm in New Berlin. The couple grows certified organic blueberries.

“It is very important when you’re growing fruits and vegetables that are sensitive to temperature extremes that you plan ahead,” said Carolyn McMaster.

“When it comes to heat and severe weather, blueberries are more tolerant than other produce,” she added. She discussed that blueberries need an inch of water a week.

High temperatures and heavy rain continue this week in Central New York.

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