Georgia’s apple farmers concerned over months-long drought’s impact on upcoming harvest

close up of withered apples on a branch

In Gilmer County, at the foot of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, fourth-generation farmer Joshua Aaron is worried about the upcoming fall apple season. Aaron’s great-grandparents started Aaron Family Orchards decades ago, so he’s seen a lot of times, both good and bad. But during the midst of the state’s months-long drought, the future is beginning to look bleak. Apple orchards are feeling the heat, and it’s already showing signs of impacting the upcoming harvest season. In Ellijay, known as the Apple Capital of Georgia, the air is fresh, and the skies are blue, but those blue skies have been around for far too long and are now leading to growing problems at Aaron Family Orchards.

“Whether it be U-pick or going to schools or here in the market, we’re really watching how much rainfall we’re getting to make sure that we’re not going to have a large crop fall or have some kind of delay or hindrance in size of the crop,” Aaron said. Meanwhile, the apples are just beginning to pop up on the trees, but so is anxiety in the voices of local orchard owners like Aaron. “Luckily in North Georgia, we’ve actually gotten a little bit of rain, a lot more than the rest of the state, but even with the rain that we’ve gotten, we’re still in a severe drought,” Aaron explained. While it could be even worse, the impacts of the deepening drought are starting to show. As the trees shield themselves from additional drying under the searing summer sun, curled-up leaves are beginning to appear as the added stress builds.

Just like with humans, when the trees are under stress, they’re more susceptible to disease. Over time, bacteria can get into their blooms. That can kill an entire branch and possibly even the whole tree.

Source: Georgia’s apple farmers concerned over months-long drought’s impact on upcoming harvest – CBS Atlanta

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

The News Part 1

Dear Heavenly Father, as this is read give understanding and conviction to those reading this. May there be understanding where there needs to be understanding and conviction where…

Keep reading

Too Far Gone? Not Even Close

You may feel like your past disqualifies you, but God specializes in rewriting broken stories. No failure is stronger than His mercy, and no sin is beyond His…

Keep reading

Psalm 2:1-12

The One True King Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel…

Keep reading

Faith That Doesn’t Burn

When life turns up the heat, your faith isn’t falling apart, it’s being revealed. What feels like pressure is actually God proving that what He placed in you…

Keep reading

Amos 3:7

 “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. This verse reveals that God does not act without warning His people first. The verse…

Keep reading

Isaiah 11:2

And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear…

Keep reading

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.