North Carolina Farmer Battles Weeks-Long Drought as Fall Crops Face Major Setbacks
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. — Farmers across southeastern North Carolina are facing mounting challenges as a weeks-long drought threatens to derail the fall planting season, leaving crops in jeopardy and local families uncertain about farm-fresh produce availability.
Indigo Farms Hit Hard by Dry Conditions
At Indigo Farms, owner Sallie Lun said the lack of rainfall has made it nearly impossible to plant fall crops.
“We’re putting baby plants that we’ve had in trays to start as seedlings in the field, and there’s a lot of transplant shock because they’re going from a moist, cared-for environment to a rugged, overdried field,” Lun explained.
Crops Struggling Without Rain
Among the crops most affected are:
- Blueberries and strawberries, which suffer because of shallow root systems.
- Carrots, radishes, and turnips, which require softer soil to germinate but face difficulty in hardened, drought-stricken ground.
Lun noted that when seeds fail to germinate, wildlife often picks them off, worsening losses for farmers.
Irrigation Challenges
Although Indigo Farms uses a drip irrigation system to deliver water directly to roots, Lun said setting it up is nearly impossible in soil that has become “hard as a rock.”
This limits the farm’s ability to maintain crops during drought conditions.
Impact on Harvest and Families
If rainfall doesn’t arrive soon, Indigo Farms may lose crops entirely, delaying seasonal produce that many families count on.
“Stuff that you would expect to have for Thanksgiving will be late. Everything will be late, because the first plantings may not survive,” Lun said. “And you’re waiting until it rains and then replanting, and that’s heartbreaking. It really is, to just see your work just dry up.”
Farmers and families alike are now left hoping and praying for significant rainfall in the coming weeks.
Do you think North Carolina should expand drought relief programs to support local farmers like Indigo Farms? Share your opinion in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
