ROLAND, Ark. – It’s not often we see below freezing temps in April, or even snow while we’re at it.
While we’re shocked, it’s become a burden for farmers across Arkansas who are now dealing with damaged crops.
20-years ago, Beth Eggers and her family started commercially growing flowers.
And in 2011, they added fruit to their blooming title: Wye Mountain Flowers and Berries.
A majority of the fruit, blueberries.
“They were all gorgeous, white,” says Beth Eggers.
And not that’s not the case.
“They’re ugly, this one is really ugly down here,” says Beth Eggers.
Those vibrant green leaves, turned plum. And the white petals, tinged.
All because of the amount of time the temperature was below 32 degrees this past weekend.
“We were below freezing from about midnight until about 8 o’clock that next morning,” says Beth Eggers.
At 3 a.m. the Eggers family set an alarm, got out their house and came out here. Knowing the temps were too cold, they set hay on fire in the hopes of keeping their budding plants warm.
“This is where we burned,” says Beth Eggers.
But still, Beth estimates 40 percent of their blueberry crop is destroyed.
And Wye Mountain Flowers and Berries isn’t alone.
The Arkansas Farm Bureau reports several farms across the state have seen damaged crops as well.
They said in a statement: “Cold temperatures, at this time of year have an impact on our fruit and berry producers, but also delays planting some of out row-crop commodities and burdens the livestock industry.”
Now this isn’t normal for Arkansas to see this kind of temperature drop in April.
The last time we saw this, was in 2007 on April 8th again, just like this weekend.
The previous time was in 1971, almost 50 years ago.
“Was thinking this was going to be a bumper crop and one night can change things,” says Beth Eggers.
Beth is hopeful, at least some of her blueberries will survive.
But laughs and says if not…
“Fill your bucket with blackberries this year hopefully,” says Beth Eggers.
