MURRAY, Utah — As the farmers market season winds down at locations like Wheeler Farm's Sunday market, local growers are taking stock of a growing season described by many as anything but easy. While shoppers might enjoy a leisurely morning browsing, the past year presented substantial difficulties for Utah's farmers and producers.
A significant challenge early in the season was a widespread spring freeze that growers reported wiped out a large portion of the state's tree fruit crop. This event left many farms with little to no peaches, apples, and other popular fruits that customers typically expect. Beyond the immediate impact of the freeze, a mild winter also contributed to problems, leading to increased issues with insects and various plant diseases throughout the year.
The effects were felt directly by families like Tagge’s Famous Fruit & Veggie Farms. Meshia Taylor, representing the farm, noted that their family experienced the impact of the freeze firsthand. To meet demand and offer produce, family friends in Idaho stepped in to provide peaches after the expected local crop was largely destroyed.
For some growers, the difficulties extended beyond weather-related events. Jack Wilbur of Three Squares Produce pointed to rising operational expenses as a major concern. He noted that higher fuel and fertilizer costs added significantly to the expense of cultivating crops and transporting them to markets.
Despite these increased costs, Wilbur explained that his farm has largely opted to absorb these additional expenses rather than passing them directly on to customers. Wilbur stated, "We’ve just absorbed it. It’s kind of what we just have to do." This decision means that the rising expenses farmers face are not necessarily reflected in the prices shoppers pay at market stands.
While some crops struggled, growers at Wheeler Farm did report some successes. Summer and winter squash, along with cucumbers, performed well this year, helping to ensure that market stands had produce to offer even as other fruits became scarce.
However, the lack of popular fruits was a noticeable issue for market vendors and customers alike. Sue Sweet, who has worked farmers markets for approximately a decade with Grammy’s Fruit & Produce, frequently heard customers inquire about specific fruit varieties that were simply not available this year. Questions like, "Do you have Macintosh?" were common, and Sweet's answer often had to be no, not this year.
The cumulative impact of the challenging season also had personal consequences for Sweet. She reported that the difficult year, particularly for tree fruit due to the freeze, compelled her to conclude her market schedule earlier than planned. Sweet indicated that she would not be attending the final two markets of the season, finding it too difficult to continue.
Despite the significant setbacks and personal tolls, growers are already looking ahead to the next planting season. Jack Wilbur emphasized the need for perseverance in farming, stating that it requires a constant willingness to keep going, even after a tough year. "You just persevere," he said. "You just always plan on next year being better." For many local growers, the ongoing support from customers through sales at farmers markets is crucial in making that hopeful next year possible.
