Westfair Online - Apple pie this year instead of pumpkin

Home

HV Biz

Latest News

Apple pie this year instead of pumpkin

Jim Gordon

Sep-25-09, 12:41 PM

3 Votes

Topics: Agriculture

It will not be a good season for canning tomatoes. But it could be a great time to hone that recipe for apple pie.

As fall arrives, the vagaries of the farm business have rarely been more starkly illustrated than at harvest time this year, after extremely rainy weather early in the growing season resulted in small yields and blight for many vegetables and yet produced something of a bumper crop for apples.

For many facets of agriculture, the 2009 growing season can be described in three letters, “B-A-D,” said Chris Pawelski, of Pawelski’s Farm in Goshen, which grows onions and squash. He added a fatalistic chuckle all too common in Hudson Valley agricultural circles this year and estimated his crop yield was down about 50 percent from a normal season’s yield.

“This year is one of the worst years in the last 15, not just for onions but across the board,” said Pawelski. “Just a terrible year, too much rain for too long and no drying weather in between, especially in June.”

“Terrible” agreed Bart Colucci of Meadow View Farm in New Paltz, who also estimated crop production was “down between 40 and 50 percent. Everybody had the same problem.”

Even that old reliable crop hay was not so reliable this year, said Ken Kleinpeter, director of farming facilities at the Glynwood Center in Cold Spring. “We were effected in two ways,” said Kleinpeter, noting that vegetables on the center’s organic CSA farm wilted beneath the one-two punch of cold wet weather and resultant blight.

Page 1 of 4

«
Start
Prev
1
2
3
4
Next
End
»

0 Comments

Add Comment

Articles by This Author

Jim Gordon

Doc, these times are killing me

The psychological pitfalls of a down economy

Apr-12-09, 07:00 PM

In tough times, worry and anxiety can spike to levels that are potentially debilitating and even dangerous.

Excelsior could replace Empire Zones

Jan-15-10, 01:34 PM

Governor proposes replacement for EZ program: Excelsior.

Senior housing remains strong

‘Look at the demographics’

Mar-01-09, 07:00 PM

Senior citizen housing may seem like a minor concern during economic times like these, but with the baby boomers aging, a growing need for places elder folk can live will increasingly become a priority for society.

Shawangunk master plan is afoot

Eco-tourism as ‘fabulous draw’

Jul-20-08, 07:00 PM

State park preserves are not often associated with business interests, but in the lower Hudson Valley the Minnewaska State Park is both a unique ecological niche and a vital cog in the region’s economic engine.

Ya gotta have friends

Jan-29-10, 01:17 PM

Chamber members combine for free renovation of member business.

Subprime money so far is for counseling

Apr-20-08, 07:00 PM

Perfect storm of foreclosures looms.

Sunny stimulus plan

Solar proponents gear up

Feb-22-09, 07:00 PM

The math is still being worked out.

Winery sues New Paltz

Jun-05-09, 02:03 PM

Rivendell winery files federal discrimination suit against New Paltz.

Fresh Guys

Web presence for locally grown food

Mar-08-09, 07:00 PM

Farmers are adding the Internet to their timeless toolkit of plows, harrows and scythes.

Closed car dealers create unique sites

May-29-09, 09:08 AM

Commercial Realtors address reusing closed car dealers.

Nevele could be back

Jan-15-10, 12:54 PM

Resort appears sold, adding to county bed tax prospects

Mercury rising

Adam Smith meets Al Gore

Nov-30-08, 07:00 PM

Climate change is not only inevitable but is already occurring.

Pistil-packin’ TV

Florist adds flair to reality show

Jan-25-09, 07:00 PM

Flowers often go with weddings, but aren’t normally associated with television. But for Flowers by David Anthony, a New Windsor-based company with a shop opening in Highland, a flair for flowers will be displayed on a national network this spring.

Benedictine nurses unionize

Nov-23-08, 07:00 PM

About 200 nurses will now be unionized after nurses at Benedictine hospital voted 110-56 in favor of union representation by the New York State Nurses Association.

Globaltransol L.L.C moves to Tech City

Oct-09-09, 07:53 AM

Shipping company likes the space; sees room to expand without relocating.

IBM presents How-to for Building a Smarter Planet

Jun-19-09, 10:37 AM

IBM on opportunities, challenges in Building a Smarter Planet

For sales

Tough times call for creative thinking

Aug-03-08, 07:00 PM

Sales in tough economic times are tougher to close, but a positive attitude, preparation and presentation still provide payoffs to those seeking to make the deal.

Name:	*
Username:	*
Email:	*
Password:	*
Verify Password:	*
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.