By Jennifer Bradley, Staff Writer
From early crops to a lack of pollination and overheated workers, the excessive heat and unstable weather this season has taken its toll on Central Jersey farms in a variety of ways.
”A lot of crops have come in early because of the heat,” said Ed Wengryn, a research associate at the New Jersey state Farm Bureau.
For Terhune Orchards in Lawrenceville, peaches and blueberries are in early according to one of the owners, Pam Mount, because of the heat.
”The upside of hot and sunny weather is sweet and juicy fruit,” said Ms. Mount.
”So far I’m surprised that our crops have been dealing with the heat as well as they have,” said Matt Conver, the owner of Cherry Grove Organic Farm in Princeton. “Everything is running a week or two ahead of time, which isn’t a bad thing.”
Other farmers also found that their crops were ripening a few weeks early, but did not have as positive a view about all aspects of the heat.
”The heat sometimes brings crops on too early,” said Amy Giovanelli, the daughter of the Stults family who owns Stults farm in Cranbury and Plainsboro. “Certain crops like our squash can grow too big.”
Ms. Giovanelli also said that the excessive heat prevents bees from flying around and pollinating, which threatens several crops.
”The heat has affected business big time,” said George Rude Jr., the son of the owner of Griggstown Quail Farm in Princeton. “People don’t want to come out in the heat.”
Mr. Rude also said that the heat affects the crops and birds on the farm so much so that the crops and certain birds such as chickens are dying. He said he had to put air conditioning and extra fans in the barns to prevent this from happening.
Mr. Wingryn also said the heat affects more than just crops. He said the heat is dangerous for livestock like cows and horses as well and can cause cows’ milk production to drop.
The heat may take a large toll on crops and livestock, but getting workers out in the fields in the heat is another huge issue for many farmers.
”By far the biggest issue is having to work in the heat,” said Mr. Convers. “But we reach a point when we just have to suck it up and go out. We do the more physical work early in the morning and we save the easier work for the afternoon.”
Mr. Wingryn said most farmers take this approach, and Mr. Convers added that the workers also take several breaks and drink plenty of water to cope with the heat.
Hydrating the crops is also a challenge, according to several farmers.
”Irrigation is intense,” said Ms. Giovanelli. “It’s almost 24-7. We really need the water, and the wind can cause a loss of moisture.”
”When it’s really hot and it doesn’t rain we have to do a lot more research,” said Ms. Mount. “Scientists come and check out all of our crops to see if there are any diseases or other problems.”
When it does rain, however, storms can cause damage to crops as well, according to Mr. Wingryn.
”Unstable weather can be more of a problem than heat in general,” he said. “Because of the high temperatures, storms have been more severe and a lot of rain and high heat can cause certain diseases to move into the production area. Wind can also knock crops over.”
Mr. Wingryn said storms are spotty in damage and can affect one farm, but another nearby farm could be completely fine.
”The changing weather is a problem because we can’t predict when crops will be ready,” said Ms. Mount.
”We seem to be lucky with regards to storms,” said Mr. Convers. “The real bad ones missed us, but I know other farms have had some pretty bad damage. We want thunderstorms for the rain, but we don’t want the damage so we just kind of cross our fingers and hope for the best.”

