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May 20, 2005
Massacre at 19501 Tualco Rd
At about 12:30 pm yesterday, me and my crew were rushing to harvest the last of the produce for our two farmers' markets. We were also finishing packing the boxes of a large wholesale order for Charlie's Produce. All the sudden these black clouds seemed to roll in out of nowhere. Our sunny afternoon turned to dusk and within 5 minutes the clouds were on us. There was no time to cover our crops. The clouds brought the most intense hail I've ever seen, along with ferocious winds and rain. The wind was so strong that it pushed the rain and hail 30ft into our covered packing shed. Fifteen minutes of this, we lost power and water. From my experience, I knew what the awesome power of the storm had done, or so I had thought.
Spinach shredded into green confetti.
As the rain died on and the sun shone bright, I took the long walk to survey the damage done. Never had I seen, such destruction, the holes, tears and scrapes that I usually dread seeing after a hail were the least of problems. The storm had literally shredded into tiny pieces, what an hour before were perfect greens. Sparing nothing, it had left only stems on my young greens, and humbling me in an instant.
Corn stalks battered by the hail
This morning as I walked over other field, my eyes filled with tears as the beautiful sugar snaps we had put so much work into, looked like someone had sliced their tops off with a machete. The early corn I was so proud of was a shadow of its former self and the head lettuce I was eager to cut for this weeks market was beaten down to nothing.
To pour salt on the wound, now we must see the disappointment of our loyal customers, who enjoy our produce every week. I only hope they can bear with us during this tragic time.
This is farming and that’s how it goes sometimes. Now before we have time to feel sorry for ourselves we must pick up the pieces and go on. When the going gets tough...
Posted by Brett at May 20, 2005 12:50 PM
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