The owner of a local farm in Fruitvale has explained how the drought has affected business.
Fisher Farm & Ranch had not seen measurable rainfall for about a month. The lack of rain impacted the farm’s produce, explained the farm’s owner David Fisher.
“There’s burned-out cauliflower, there’s burned-out cabbage, on the other side of it is burned-out broccoli. We planted that back in early April, actually, and it would have done good. It would have been fine, but the heat hit too quick,” he said.
Fisher Farm & Ranch provides residents throughout the Dallas area with homegrown produce. The local business sells at farmers’ markets and offers wholesale. Customers who prefer home delivery are also covered. However, Fisher said he had to suspend August deliveries.Â
The farm could not recover from the lack of rain, which meant a significant financial loss. Despite the challenging farming conditions, Fisher said he expects his watermelons to thrive, and he is working to adjust and start over, said Fisher.Â
Irrigation is the key, he says. “That’s the only thing that keeps farming alive in east Texas in this kind of weather.”
Cindy Johnson, Frisco Rotary Farmers Market manager, agreed with Fisher’s claims, saying that the year has been difficult for farmers. “With the drought and the heat, our vendors are struggling,” she said.
Despite the efforts farmers put into ensuring produce is made available for sale, some people have not been able to visit the farmers’ market and purchase the offerings. Johnson said the reduction in sales negatively affects the vendors, especially the ones with many people in their employment.
The market manager encouraged residents to patronize farmers’ markets more often as that holds benefits beyond enjoying the fruits of a community. Purchasing from the food vendors is also a way of supporting the local economy, Johnson reminded.
The Frisco Rotary Farmers Market is located at 6048 Frisco Square Blvd. It operates from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.
