‘This year has been challenging’: Central Oregon farmers discuss how their summer crops are faring

(Update: Adding video, comments from farmers, KTVZ.COM Poll)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --  Farmers in Central Oregon are doing their best to raise their crops amid a late snowfall and this summer's record heat and early, smoky wildfire season. 

At RainShadow Organics and Well Rooted Farms, farmers shared with us Monday their recent experience growing crops in Central Oregon.

Rainshadow Organics in Sisters provides meats, vegetables and grains. Owner SarahLee Lawrence said this year has been a challenging one. 

"It's been cold in the spring, particularly cold," she said, "and then a really abrupt shift to the heat dome, and then a pretty extended hot spell this summer. A lot of the vegetables have struggled with that."

Lawrence said farmers endure the varied weather changes as they come and do their best to adjust. 

"We mostly have the infrastructure that we have, and so we try to maximize its benefit, whether that's our irrigation system or our greenhouses," she said.

At farmers markets, they have noticed a decrease in sales, something they hope changes. 

"The best thing you can do is support your local farmer," Lawrence said. "And you're going to want a farm when things like COVID happens, and when the grocery store shelves are empty, you know, but you've got to invest in in that farm all the time, otherwise it won't be here when you need it."

While Rainshadow Organics vegetables have struggled with the heat, Well Rooted Farms in Redmond says the heat has actually helped their crops - from melons and sweet corn to pumpkins.

Owner Scott Maricle said, "In Central Oregon, the weather is always a challenge. The cool springs with late frost is a challenge that we all deal with, all the the farmers here in Central Oregon." 

While farming in Central Oregon can be challenging, Maricle said the community makes it worthwhile. 

"Nature doesn't understand that there's a 40-hour workweek," he said. "Nature, it gives us a brief window of time to do each step of the farming practice. You have to have your labor when you need it, and that's always, I think, becoming more and more of a struggle for farmers."

Maricle said it's not uncommon for farmers to work 80 to 90 hours a week. He added that it's important to get tasks done at a certain time.