It affects you too…
If you think what’s going on in the American southeast as a result of Hurricane Helene doesn’t affect you, think again.
It’s been the beginning of the harvest season in these states. The southeastern states are big agricultural producers who have just lost homes, crops, livestock, friends, and more. Cotton bolls were open across Georgia and South Carolina. When cotton is blown from the boll, is wet, or touches the ground, it is a loss due to degradation of the cotton fibers.
When a cotton crop is lost, this means the price of cotton-related goods will go up in the coming months. Your t-shirts, blue jeans, table cloths, q-tips, hats, and more will all be more expensive.
Peanuts weren’t all dug. Peanuts are a legume with the fruit of the plant being beneath the surface of the earth. Excessive water will cause them to rot — and this will be a crop loss as well. This will affect the cost of your peanut butter, Reese’s cups, peanut brittle, Chick-Fil-A (peanut oil), trail mix, and more.
Pecan orchards are at a loss, as many trees have been blown over. After replanting, it takes years before these trees produce nuts. Pecan prices are already high as they are tough to come by, and are a luxury import for other countries, such as China. Pecans are used in lots of baked goods, especially around Christmas and other holidays. The dessert tables at the coming holidays will be priced higher.
Peach trees have been blown over and lost in some areas as well. Peaches are a delicate crop that had finally recouped after a previous season loss due to frost and freeze. Peaches will also be in lower supply next season, and we all know Georgia and South Carolina have the best peaches.
Livestock producers have experienced loss, but will continue to face even more loss over time. Many producers rely on wells to water their livestock as they are in rural areas. Wells require power to generate a water source. Generators are great, but many areas are also out of fuel as well. Stress from these difficult conditions on animals will also reduce their productivity over time.
While we worry for all farmers and our food supply, our hearts are with dairy producers. Approximately 20% of dairy farms in Georgia are still without power, and some without generator options. No power means no good modern way to milk cows.
Milking by hand isn’t realistic for many family operations as their milking herds are larger than can be hand-milked in a day. These animals can’t just stop producing milk. Many are uncomfortable, stressed, and will be subject to related health problems from not being milked. Watching the animals you love and rely on suffer due to no fault of your own is extremely difficult. Milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, and other dairy products may be in limited supply over the coming months.
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With farmers losing their crops and livestock, they’re also at a loss for an income source. They are not paid by the hour, but by the weight of their product.
They will spend months in clean up. Extra manual labor will be required to try to preserve family farming operations. They will be tired and weary.
Remember the farmers and their passion to produce quality products as you feed your families. When prices for goods increase in the coming months, please don’t complain. Farmers are losing their livelihoods and still earn only pennies on the dollar. They need your grace, prayers, support, and compassion as their future is extremely uncertain. It affects you too.
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