POLK CITY, Fla. — Florida farmers are facing a difficult harvest season after a year of extreme weather, and one Polk County citrus farm says its crop yield is down about 50%.
At Ever After Farms in Polk City, the effects of a record cold snap earlier this year are still visible throughout the groves. Jenny Cahoon, the farm’s CEO, says the freeze destroyed about 30% of the farm’s trees.
Cahoon said the cold weather hit at a critical time for citrus trees, damaging the blooms that determine how much fruit they produce.
“When that cold came in for record number of hours it really did damage, a lot of damage on the trees and our bloom for that year and it affected that the yield,” Cahoon said. “So we’ll see effects of that cold front for years to come.”
The cold snap was followed by a summer-long drought and heavy rainfall in September, adding to the challenges for growers.
Cahoon said the reduced yield is creating a significant financial strain on the family’s farming operation. The farm must cover the cost of replanting trees while preparing for less income from fruit sales and its annual U-pick season.
“Financially, it was a really big hit so not only did we have to come up with monetary funds to be able to replant the grove. We’re going to see a huge reduction in overall income from our U pick operations and selling them the fruit,” Cahoon said.
Ever After Farms also operates a wedding and event venue, providing another income source to help offset agricultural losses.
Cahoon said the venue lets the family keep investing in the groves despite the difficult growing season.
“It’s honestly been what saved us throughout these unpredictable weather patterns,” she said.
Despite the losses, Ever After Farms is preparing to welcome visitors for its annual U-pick season. The smaller crop could mean a shorter harvest this year.
Cahoon hopes customers will support local farms and learn more about the challenges growers face as they deal with unpredictable weather.
“We put trust in a higher power, and we know that we are resilient and we will come back from this,” Cahoon said.
For Polk County citrus growers, the season is a reminder of how extreme weather can affect crop production and the financial future of family farms.
Share Your Story with Rebecca
Rebecca Petit is dedicated to telling your stories from every corner of Polk County. She knows how growth has been a major discussion point for the area, and the impact it’s had on some of our most vulnerable populations. You can connect with Rebecca by using the form below.
.
Pasco County mom of 5 takes in 3 children left without food or power whose mother faces neglect charges
Jasmine Young, a mother of 5, opened her home to three neglected girls as their mother faces child neglect charges for leaving them without food, power or water.
