Farmer recover from crop damage after storm

SUPPLY, NC (WWAY) — Tropical Storm Ana’s effects on local produce will be felt long into the summer.

Ana brought torrential downpours leaving  local farmers in Brunswick County with flood and wind damage to crops and structure.

Produce Farmer Keith Ludlum says the storm has set planting his tomato crop two weeks behind schedule.  He will have to wait until the fields dry out which means it will take longer for consumers to have their fresh produce.

“In 54 years of my family farm, we have never taken out crop insurance,” said Ludlum. “We never asked for no benefits or anything.  We just pretty much rely on Blessings and Grace.”

Ludlum says to meet the customer demand this summer, he plans to work everyday to make sure the work gets done and the produce is available for visitors to buy when they visit the Holden Beach area.

“I would rather work hard in a 104-acre field to make sure someone has a cold watermelon on the beach with their family…Families that have been shopping with us for generations…That’s where I get my satisfaction from in farming,” Ludlum said.