October 1, 2014 at 3:41 p.m.
Unfavorable summer weather hurts Hodag Farmers' Market crops
Unfavorable summer weather hurts Hodag Farmers' Market crops
By Kayla Thomason-
"[The crops did] bad, poor, very poor," said George Croner, an assistant to a vendor. "Too cold, not enough warm weather."
Potatoes, onions and squash fared better than other crops, he said. Cucumbers, for example, didn't do as well.
Freda Waalkens, a vendor at the Hodag Farmer's Market since 1996 and the group's current treasurer, had no carrots whatsoever and her potatoes didn't fair well either. Her fruit did poorly, some apple trees only produced half a bushel when in the past they were plentiful, and her berries were just as bad.
"The product is a lot less this year I've noticed," Waalkens said. "I've had some crops that completely failed and others that flourished but for the most part I'd say this is a down year."
Luck is on the vendors' side as they can now sell canned goods which helps when the crops are failing.
The cool, sunny weather was perfect for customers and the vendors said they have seen a steady flow of patrons every Saturday.
The Hodag Farmers' Market saw an increase in vendors as well, averaging around 30 total.
Waalkens and Croner love the friendly, community atmosphere at the Hodag Farmers' Market.
"It's a great opportunity for the people to get out, get some home-grown produce and there's a variety of it," Croner said.
Waalkens follows the Farmers' Almanac which is predicting another brutally cold winter in northern Wisconsin.
"[The Farmer's Almanac] gave us a prediction on this winter and it's supposed to be worse than last year," she said.
If people haven't visited the Hodag Farmers' Market, located in Pioneer Park, there is still time. Vendors will be selling their goods until Oct. 18.
"We love Pioneer Park, [the city has] been very good to us," Waalkens said.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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