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Health & Fitness

Blogger: Farmers Gambling with the Soil as Irene Approaches

Farmers and Vintners are doing all preparations they can before Irene reaches the North Fork.

As hurricane Irene barrels toward Long Island, North Fork residents prepare for the worst, while local farmers and vintners share the same opinion that, “there’s not much we can do.” The current Category 2 hurricane is expected to make landfall on Long Island this Sunday.

 

Although many farmers and winemakers are worried about the potential state of their crops, “you can’t change mother nature,” remarks Dorothy Konarski of Farmer Mike’s Farm Stand in Peconic. While speaking to Dorothy on Friday afternoon, she commented that she isn’t planning any preparations for the hurricane, but she is certainly hoping for the best.

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However, owner Barbara Pelis of Barb’s Veggies on Route 28 in Peconic is attempting to cultivate the field’s cauliflower before the storm, hoping that will make a slight difference. Aside from the minimal farm preparation that can be done, Barb and her staff are going to take tarps and tents down and pick up the lose items around the farm. Other than that, there isn’t much to be done.

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Like other local agronomists, Barb is hoping the storm won’t be too harsh knowing that “if we get another 8 to 10 inches, the rain will wash everything away.” The rain and winds have the ability to ruin an entire field of tomatoes, pumpkins, gourds, zucchini, and cucumber – “they’ll all be finished.” If that isn’t bad enough, the massive amount of rain heading our way is threatening crops with diseases such as blight, which will impair plant growth. Barb comments that if the storm is bad, farmers will unfortunately be forced to “take a loss.”

 

Meanwhile, at Osprey’s Dominion, Tasting Room Manager, Peter Carey, jokes that the most he can do is “stand on the roof and pray.” At the moment, Osprey’s is staying open, providing live music Friday evening. Staffing has been cut for the remainder of the weekend and live music has been cancelled Saturday and Sunday, but Peter reminds me that Osprey’s will be open for business Saturday and they will “play it by ear Sunday.” At the moment, Osprey’s priority is to maintain the winery’s temperature as a drastic drop could damage the wine.

 

It is too early at the moment for any vineyard to begin picking grapes since they aren’t ripe yet; however, this is an advantage for the wineries. Ripe grapes are much more susceptible to damage than immature grapes that are just beginning the process of veraison. As a result, the loss the vineyards will incur will not be as bad as it could be.

 

All of the local harvesters are aware that issues can arise if we are doused with more than eight inches of rain or are abraded by heavy winds. However, amidst uncertainty, they are all hoping that Irene is merciful on us.

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