May 23, 2013
Local farmers wheeled in produce for the opening of farmers' markets across the Wiregrass.
Without rain, temperatures aren't the only thing going up-prices are too.
The produce at both Headland and Abbeville farmers markets are grown within a 25-mile radius of the Wiregrass.
Farmers say the extreme weather has taken a toll on crops and their wallets which is why they need you to help support local markets.
“This is fresh I know for sure it’s fresh. I'm going to take this home and boil this corn in good salty water and rub a whole bunch of good ole butter on it," said Abbeville resident Marie Murphy.
After taking a stroll around the farmers markets, it was obvious that something was different from last year.
"We have a few less [vendors]. A lot of them didn't plant anything because of labor problems,” said David Bell with Bell Farms.
Jimmy Jones with the Henry County Extension Office said, "The drought has been very serious so most of these vegetables had to be irrigated to get the good quality vegetables ready for the table."
And irrigation costs. Bell said, “This year the expense on water has probably doubled."
Melanie Deal with Deal Farms said, "We had 2 1/2 acres of cabbage which never made it large enough for what we needed. We needed 4-5 pounds per head."
This forces farmers to re-coup the costs in other produce.
"It slowed us down so much because normally around this time we would have peas and butter beans but until it rains we won't be able to have any of those things," said Brad Baker with Caney Creek Produce.
Jones said if the drought continues another 10-days it will be devastating to local cotton and peanut farmers.
One farmer told News 4 his business could lose $1,000 each week if the drought continues.
