‘This year has been challenging’:Central Oregon farmers discuss this years summer’s crops

(Update: Adding video, comments from farmers)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --  Farmers in Central Oregon are doing their best to raise their crops, amidst a late snowfall and this wildfire season. 

At RainShadow Organics and Well Rooted Farms, farmers share their experience growing in Central Oregon. Rainshadow Organics in Sisters provides meats, vegetables, and grains.

 The owner, SarahLee Lawrence, said this year has been challenging. 

She added, "It's been cold in the spring, particularly cold, 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."

 She said farmers endure different weather changes as it comes. 

Lawrence said, "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."

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

She said, "The best thing you can do is support your local farmer, 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 helped their crops- from melons, 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 very it's a challenge that we all deal with all the the farmers here in Central Oregon." 

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

Maricle said, "Nature doesn't understand that there's a 40 hour workweek 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. Adding it's important to get tasks done at a certain time.