BERLIN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — The ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, inflation, gas prices, recent bouts of heat — it’s been a tough summer for everyone, but especially for farmers. They rely on gas for machines, fertilizer imports from other countries, and calm weather to grow the perfect crop.
The latter — along with a New Jersey-wide drought watch — has deterred several farms in the region, including the more than 100-year-old Stella Farms in Berlin, Camden County.
“[The heat] really hurts the tomatoes,” said Barbara Stella, who runs the farm and market with her family. “The little flowers drop off the tomatoes when you get more than three days of heat.
“I think if my father were alive, he would say it’s time to quit,” she said. “So many things have come into effect that somebody from the older generation didn’t have to put up with.”
Due to the weather, she said they have had to water every field about five times as much during the growth season.
Fertilizer has also tripled in price since last year, partially because of the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russian sanctions. It costs more to fill up their equipment with fuel, too.
Still, the farm is pushing forward. Stella said customers have readily adjusted to their price increases to make up for the costs, which has helped.
“The loving support of our customers has been really a boost to just keep on going,” she added.
There’s also a positive to dry periods: juicier watermelons, cantaloupes and strawberries. The less water the fruits soak in, the less their natural sugars get diluted, creating sweeter melons and berries.
Regardless of setbacks, Stella emphasized the season isn’t over yet, and customers can still get their share of tomatoes, zucchinis and corn.
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