How the heat is impacting farmers

CATAWISSA, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — We’re all looking for some relief when it comes to the blazing temperatures this week.

The heat can affect pets, your health, and also summer crops.

It’s the time of year to harvest summer crops and local farms like Rohrbach’s in Catawissa are loaded with sweet fruit.

Seasons for strawberries and cherries started a bit early, and are going fast, all due to the heat our area has been seeing.

“It definitely is ripening fruit like our cherries right now really fast and also we want people to come and be careful out in this heat. So the nice thing about the cherries is they’re loaded and it’s easy picking so you can kind of be in and be out really fast.”

Denise Bosworth is the fourth generation owner in the family. Generations before her like ‘Aunt Kay’ say they’re used to the curveball mother throws at them every year.

“We always say, ‘Well we need rain, but just not too much rain, no hail, just the right amount,’ especially on cherries because cherries with the humidity they will split.”

The farm uses irrigation to keep the plants watered and fruit fresh. So guests can stop by the farm and pick cherries and raspberries with their own after-picking cool-down options.

“They’re ready to cool down, have a cold hoagie or have a slushie. We make this really fun thing called a ‘refresher’ it’s a slushie and ice cream all blended together with whipped cream on top.”

Breaking a sweat in the heat, all for the sweet reward.

“It’s just nice because you know once you’re done picking and you’re in the heat, you get to go home and relax, it’s just nice because you feel like you did something great,” says Ava Gaul.

Rohrbach’s Farm Market opens Thursday at 10 a.m. They have a ‘pick your own’ hotline number to call to find all information about the fruits available.

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