Growing Crop Concerns Due to Cold Weather

A freeze warning is in effect for Santa Barbara County and it’s concerning one avocado grower.

Robert Abbot is a third generation farmer in Carpinteria.

He owns more than 50 acres of land and 30 of them contain avocado trees.

Even though the tough weather conditions concern him, he’s more concerned about water usage.

“The real challenge is the fact that the drought has continued and the rain in the forecast lately has produced nothing, but wind,” says Robert Abbott.

A Carpinteria produce farmer also agreed.

“With costs rising and stresses on the environment, the extreme heat, extreme winds, extreme colds, all really tax our plants and cause different ailments to come through our crops which makes it even more of a gamble,” says Jason Lesh.

Both farmers are crossing their fingers for heavy rain in the forecast.

“We’re willing to get flooded out in exchange to have a good spring and a good next year and be able to have confidence that we can farm next year, says Jason Lesh.