For many years proponents of purchasing from local farmers have said this is not only a way to get fresher food that saves energy and helps prevent climate change by not being transported across the country or world, it promotes the local economy. It also helps the area be more sustainable in case of disruptions. Now, during some of the hottest, driest July days on record, disruption is here in the form of supply chain problems and inflation in the price of everything from gas to groceries.
Homestead Farms co-owner Jon Toombs, believes our society’s poor choices, by both leadership and individually, has made us very vulnerable. He thinks that, at this point, major disruptions are not avoidable
“It is just something that we have to learn to deal with,” Jon said. “We have been heading down that path, and there is no turning back from it. You need to have long-term, big picture thinking in order to sustain a community. Climate change is an example of one of the critical challenges we face. It has an impact on everything, good and bad. Nothing is free from experiencing an impact from climate.”
Jon and his wife, Kaylynn, have a Community Supported Agriculture operation that provides subscriptions to their products through the season. Kaylynn also sells their products at the Cup of Love parking lot on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Like other growers, the Toombs have experienced greater challenges this year because of the drought and heat topping 100° for multiple days in July. Using tricks of the trade, they have been able to continue producing.
“Actually, I have two degrees in engineering, and have done a lot of complex and difficult things in my life, but nothing more complex than market gardening,” Jon said. “If you are going to be able to do it consistently, it takes some serious planning. We have enough water, and some crops can handle the heat and some crops can’t. Admittedly, not many are tolerant of extremely high temperatures. It helps if part of your garden is in a shady area. Some years having a garden in full sun is to your advantage, and other years full sun is a disadvantage. We are diversified enough that we are relatively resilient.”
He advises home growers that anything in a pot is really going to struggle because the soil temperature is way too high. Plants are better off in the ground. If you can put it somewhere that is shady, that will help a lot. Of course, make sure you give plants enough water.
“Otherwise, there are some crops that just aren’t going to make it,” Jon said. “For example, some types of tomatoes like the heat better than others. I actually have some lettuce growing. It is what you manage, how you manage your soil and what crops you figure out over the years will tolerate different extremes. We have quite a lot of products right now, eggplant, sweet peppers, lots of tomatoes, green beans, a certain amount of kale and collards, and summer squash soon.”
Terra Rosa Farm located off Rockhouse Road has vegetables, herbs and skin care products for sale in addition to grassfed beef. Manager Greg Swift said the lack of rain means that basically the grass is just not growing.
“That has a big impact on us doing rotational grazing,” Greg said, referring to a practice of frequently moving the cattle to new pastures.
When this article was written, there were three days early in the week of July 25 with temperatures above 100°. Later in the week it was supposed to cool off, and there was a possibility of significant rainfall for the first time in nearly two months. But that won’t put the chill on hay prices. Greg said they are fortunate to have their own hay in Green Forest to bring over to Terra Rose. But ranchers who purchase hay are looking at prices more than double a year ago. A round bale has increased from $40 to $100—if you can find it.
“People are selling their cows,” Greg said. “That is what is going to happen next because you can’t find hay anywhere. We have 78 head, and I sold some cattle earlier, not really anticipating the drought, but just to get my herd size down a little to be cost effective. I think everybody’s herd will be down after this drought. We are going to be very competitive with the grocery store prices of beef in the coming months. The cattle are flooding the market now. After that, prices will go up in the grocery stores very quickly.”
Adding to the misery is that the diesel used to run farm equipment is costing $5.25 a gallon.
Terra Rosa has had enough water, but some local ranchers have seen their ponds and wells dry up. Greg said there could be some government relief if the drought gets worse.
“I think that is coming,” he said. “But besides that, there is not much relief going. We need to have everyone do a rain dance. And think how much energy it would save if everybody bought local.”
Greg’s wife, Kristy, manages growing the organic vegetables they sell at the Farmers’ Market at the Eureka Springs Community Center on Thursdays. Currently they have tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, garlic, rosemary, and four acres of lavender. Kristy makes a number of different personal care products from lavender.
Cecille Berry, a grower who also operates the Eureka Springs Oriental and Farm Fresh Market on US 62 between Eureka and Berryville, said even watering heavily isn’t enough when the temperatures are so high.
“Everyone is having the same problem,” Berry said. “I have plenty of water, but it evaporates too fast. The ground is like a sponge. It is too hot. This is crazy. I don’t have very much right now. Tomatoes are all right. They like the heat. The beans are done. I lost some of my cut flowers. Sunflowers that are normally four-foot high are blooming at one foot high. That is even with us watering longer. The volume of water we used to use in a week is gone in two days and it is not even enough.”