It's been hard to walk through the orchards this season...

As many of you know, in April of this year, we had some unseasonably warm days that prematurely pushed out the blossoms on fruit trees & strawberries.  This would have been fine if there wasn't a deep freeze later, on April 21st.   Most, if not all, of those early blossoms were destroyed by the freeze. 

Now as I walk through the peach orchards, there is nothing to see except a few random peaches that survived that cold night in April.  Even they still reflect the impact of the cold. 

The United States Department of Agriculture has been attentively talking with farmers to assess state wide impacts.  In the state of Pennsylvania, here are the preliminary reports: 

*Of 250 total respondents, 221 reported they were negatively impacted by the freezing temperatures. 

Of the 221 respondents who reported damage: 

• 13 % reported a loss of 10 percent or less
• 87% reported a loss of at least 25 percent
• 65% reported a loss of at least 75 percent
• 29% reported a total crop loss

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's early estimate put fruit growers at a loss of $150-$200 million statewide.*

*Source: Positively Pennsylvania; July 2026

Why is this significant? Agriculture is one of Pennsylvania's leading industries. It affects not only small family farms like ours, but the entire agricultural supply chain—from large-scale farms to fruit packers, transportation providers, and countless other businesses. Crop losses mean lost jobs, reduced income, and economic hardship for many families. In addition, they result in a significant reduction in our food supply.  

What are we doing & some thoughts on what you can do:
We lost our entire peach and cherry crop, 80% of our strawberries and estimated 60% of our apples.  We have been working with other local farms to source out of state fruit, direct from other farmers.  We are fully aware that all of this has resulted in higher prices.
 
Please be aware that because we are sourcing peaches from out of state, our peach season will not extend into late August as it typically does with Pennsylvania-grown peaches. Don't wait until the end of the season to get yours!

If you are used to buying in bulk, scale back a little and buy smaller portions each week.  Talk to your local farmers and visit multiple farmers markets.  Farmers across Pennsylvania have different points of contact so you may be able to find some great resources by doing a little more asking.  

Second, go BIG on veggies!  Pennsylvania veggies are looking exceptional this year including green beans, pickles and sweet corn. Consider adding something new to your freezer or pantry that you haven't tried before.  

Most of all, thanks for your patience and understanding.  We are living this every day.  Food for our families and community is at the heart of what we do and we will keep doing our best for you! 

Thank you kindly, 
Denise Bosworth
4th Generation Owner