Georgia Farmer Discusses Early Freeze Impact on Citrus Harvest and Labor Challenges

Early Freeze and Hail Impact on Georgia Citrus

• 🥶 Early winter weather has brought the nation's growing season to an abrupt close, forcing farmers to race against freezing temperatures.
• ⛈️ Lindy Sevel, a Georgia farm owner, experienced a severe hail storm followed by two nights below freezing, significantly impacting her citrus crop.
• 💧 To protect her trees, Sevel employs a micro-jet system that forms ice around the trees, a counterintuitive method that prevents freezing.

Citrus Sweetness and Harvest Practices

• 🍊 For citrus crops like satsumas, cold weather actually helps create sweeter fruit, with the taste improving as temperatures approach freezing without actually freezing the fruit.
• ✂️ Unlike some produce, satsumas must be clipped individually from the tree, a labor-intensive process.

Farmer Concerns: Labor and Costs

• 🧑‍🌾 Labor availability and cost are identified as the number one issue for farmers in the Southeast, particularly for crops requiring manual harvesting.
• 💸 Rising costs and weather uncertainty create significant challenges for farmers heading into the next season.
• 🛒 Consumers may face impacts on produce prices and availability, though local, US-grown produce offers freshness.

Immigration Policy and Labor Force

• 🛂 Immigration crackdowns have created fear and uncertainty within the local labor force, leading to families leaving and creating significant voids.
• ✅ Sevel emphasizes the desire for reliable and legal labor to ensure the stability of farm operations.