What extreme heat means for crops, livestock

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — There’s no question it’s been hot here lately, but what does that heat mean for the local farms that bring food to your table?

Kyle Stenersen owns Humble Roots Farm in Pender County and said it’s a learning process maintaining a farm during extreme temperatures. He no longer raises chickens during this time of year, after losing a number following a warm June a few years ago.

“Learning where exactly to time, and even the best preparations can’t fully predict what’s going to happen,” Stenersen said.

He says produce is most vulnerable when it is maturing. At Humble Roots, keeping animals (and farmers) hydrated throughout the day is key.

“I could see problems if we have heat that extends into late August, just like we’re having now, it could affect germination of seeds that I’m directly sewing in the ground like carrots and lettuce and things like that,” he said.

These are grueling times of the year and Stenerson said he hopes people don’t forget about their labor of love.

“Just spending more of your food dollars with local farms especially this time of year when they don’t have a whole lot of things because it’s so hot, is really helpful.”