East End farms recover from nor’easter damage as critical fall season continues
Farm owners say storm damage and several rainy weekends have hurt business during one of the busiest times of the year, but they remain hopeful for a strong finish to the season.
One of the busiest times of the year for East End farms is in full swing, with apple picking, pumpkin picking and other fall events drawing visitors across the region.
But after last weekend’s nor’easter and a string of rainy weekends, many farms are facing challenges during a critical stretch of the season.
“If it's a gloomy forecast, people don't want to take the ride out,” says Larry Kaiser, owner and farmer of 1760 Homestead Farm. “It definitely did, did put a pinch in our pocketbook.”
Days after the nor’easter, the farm was still dealing with the damage. Kaiser said two of the farm’s greenhouses were badly damaged in the storm.
“We had everything buttoned up and we thought it was pretty good,” says Kaiser.
The farm expects repairs to cost thousands of dollars, a significant expense during one of its most important seasons.
“It was a little heartbreaking to see that going into the fall. It's our make or break. This is where we show either show of profit or loss,” says Kaiser.
Just down the road at Harbes Family Farm, farm manager Edward Harbes says the farm experienced minor damage from the nor’easter but still felt its effects.
“We had five inches of rain on the farm so it does make it a challenge for people to come visit the farm,” says Harbes. “We had some apples that blew off the tree. We had some trees come down, some buildings got damaged."
Despite the setbacks, both farms are hopeful that the coming weeks will bring better weather and stronger business.
Farmers say families going out to the East End should expect to see plenty of their fall favorites.
“We've been seeing that already, even Tuesday when the sun peeked out and we had a good crowd that came to the farm,” says Harbes. "The crops are looking healthy and abundant so that's what we're optimistic about."
