Michigan's cherry crops were decimated this year. An early heat wave in March coaxed the trees to blossom, and just like every other year in April, we had some heavy frosts. The delicate blossoms were destroyed. It's estimated that farmers lost 65 to 75% of their crops. But it's not just the cherries. The apple and peach crops were destroyed, too. The only crops to survive were the blueberries. Not my favorite. The trickle down economics of these multiple losses will be devastating. Farmers won't employ people to pick the crops. Crops won't make it to places that rely on the fruit and we will all pay more at the register for something we look forward to and take for granted.
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| Upper Tahquamenon Falls. Photo: ANagy |
As though Mother Nature wasn't done punishing Michigan, a wild fire started in the U.P. of our state that has so far burned about 22,000 acres. What began as a lightening strike about a week ago is only about 50% contained and is a mere 7 miles west of the beautiful and picturesque Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Really Mother Nature? I think Michigan has had enough.
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12 comments:
Holy Cherry Tart Batman! And I thought grapes [my favorite] were outrageous. I think I would've passed out at the register.
It is really a sad state of affairs when something as healthy as 1 lb of cherries is twice the price of a pack of cigarettes.
I don't know what it is about fruits and veggies this year but my grocery bill has doubled. Thank goodness my teeny garden is doing well and come July [fingers crossed] I won't have to buy tomatoes or watermelon. :)
I had not heard about the fires or the cherries. That is terrible! It is awful that the healthiest things to eat are the most expensive. Having had garden food when I was growing up and knowing what an excess you usually have...it is so hard for me to pay those high prices at the store. They don't even taste all that good.
Ugh! Spending that much on food is so frustrating.
I've accidentally bought cherries that were that expensive before. I was in so much shock that I was out the door with them before it registered - yikes!
I agree that Michigan has had enough!
I wouldn't worry about unemployed farm workers, we have a shortage here in California, which SHOULD mean their wages go up, more higher food prices! Well I need to lose weight anyway. No sushi due to radioactive fish (safe level my ass!)
Having lived through years of summer forest fires in our part of the world, I share your pain at losing so much beauty. Nature does indeed seem to punishing your state - and those around you. From tornadoes to summer heat to fires. I hope that you can at least find a handful of cherries somewhere. All the fruit gone? Devastating!
Rudee, I feel your pain. It sounds like our apple crops will take a huge hit because of the weather this spring, especially the popular varietals like Zestar and Honeycrisp.
That is heartbreaking Rudee. I hate to think of forests suddenly gobbled up by a roaring fire. I hope there was no loss of (human) life.
Cherries are normally very expensive here, about €10 for a punnet. i treat us to one punnet early in the season though, just to have that wonderful taste. The crop failure is difficult for farmers and as you say, the effect ripples through the economy.
Thanks for the comment and link on my blog; I looked at the videos of other pranks and had a good laugh (probably shoud go tut tut!!)
I hadn't priced cherries yet. Ouch! Isn't it sad that it is cheaper to eat junk food than what we should be eating?
oh my gosh! so sorry about all this honey!!! i was just doing my post for tonight and was telling about ivana's town (bologna) and the newest earthquake there. crumbling buildings all around her. so many people suffering where you are and her as well.
hugs, bee
xoxooxoxo
I've tried twice to comment and it keeps getting lost in cyberspace. Might be an omen.
Too bad about the cherries. I wonder if the Door County cherries were lost this year.
Mother Nature has been dealing the world some stacked hands this year.
We are starving for rain but we have plums and peaches ready to ripen.
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