Uncertain growing season amid pandemic

Inside a heated greenhouse, Jim's wife, Hannah Hamilton, is picking kale and rainbow chard. This is the couple's eighth season farming these seven acres and by far the most perilous.

Planting season is underway throughout Maine as farmers purchase seeds and fertilizers and decide what they'll hope to sell in August and September.

"Before the pandemic, we were expecting about 40% of our revenue this year would be direct sales to restaurants," Hamilton said.

But with restaurants they supply, from mid-coast Maine to Boston closed, they're shifting what they'll plant.

"In the next month or so, we really have to have our plans really, really sealed up and ready to go," Buckle said.

The plan? Fewer specialty items. More produce aimed at households like their squash and lettuce, plus tomatoes, onions and garlic.

"Sticking to the New England classics and staples that we know are popular with chefs and restaurants and households as well," Hamilton said. "Part of it is keeping the faith, part of it is staying as flexible as we can."

Their plan for survival and success is staying nimble. Looking for more local, direct sales to loyal and new customers.

Buckle said this fall they might sell more watermelons than pumpkins, and Maine shoppers are likely to see less variety of fruits and vegetables in grocery stores.

"Farmers have so much time to do those things, they have so much money to invest, and they have so much faith that they can put into the market," Buckle said.

Source: Msn Lisfestyle
Photo Š Provided by WMTW Portland ME Vegetable farm

Source: Msn Lifestyle