I'm a farmer...

[bluecollar2]

I don't check in here very often but was out walking through my grove today and noticing that my crop this year will not be as productive as last year.

I grow Lychees and Longans on 4.5 acres in South Florida. Lychees are a dicey proposition...they require a "chilling period" where the temperature to drop into the low 50's during the post harvest period in order to "push" the tree into flowering and then setting fruit.

Our production over the last decade has declined and we Lychee growers are convinced that the decreased production is directly related to global warming/climate change.

The more immediate problem though is going to be what are the prospects for my crop this year? In theory the lower amount should result in me getting a higher price for my crop...

The problem with that is even if there is a demand for the crop there may well be no way to get it to market.

Lychee picking is a manual process. It cannot be mechanized and requires skilled pickers, experienced in identifying and picking those fruit that are ready to pick and those that need to be left to mature for a few more days.

Sometimes it can take up to ten days to pick the grove.

Normally I contract with an individual who buys my crop and provides his own pickers and packers to get my crop into the hands of his customers.

As it stands, the population that he relies on to pick, pack and deliver his product are under a lot of pressure.

The distance between my product and the consumer is getting wider...and it doesnt look good.

What I grow isn't critical to your health...and God knows the chances are pretty good you've not consumed it but it has been a sobering day.

Personally, I'm at a stage in my life where it isn't going to be critical if this crop doesnt make it to market, but I worry about those who it will affect.

Anybody else in this situation?

[Wellstone ruled]

1. Climate change is your enemy.

As someone who grew up in Northwest Wisconsin and planted 85 day corn only to sweat bullets hoping it would ripen. Now those same fields raise 98-105 day corn,depending on which farm is planted.

So fully understand how your concern worries you. And assuming the normal growth and maturity of those trees,the relocation costs are prohibited.

[bluecollar2]

2. The longans are much more tolerant

Of warm hours.

The problem small growers are dealing with down here in South Florida is rising water levels and developers buying up land.

Crop change to deal with both is going to be a big decision.

Our water table is often less than 4 feet below ground. Not many crops are tolerant of wet feet...

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Sorry forgot about the water table.

And Trees hate wet feet.

[bluecollar2]

4. Yeah

That and laurel wilt has really nailed avocados...

Interesting times for growers now.

Just got notice that the County Agricultural Practices Advisory Board meeting has been cancelled.

[roamer65]

24. We have seen the same in MI.

They are up to 120 day corn where my dad’s farm is located.

[intrepidity]

5. Oooo do you sell by mail order?

I'd buy some, but just for personal use...

[lostnfound]

6. Me too. Nt

[bluecollar2]

11. I'm sure something

Could be worked out.

[bluecollar2]

20. Be happy to

Cover minor shipping and packing costs? Where are you located?

[lostnfound]

25. North Carolina. Of course, that would be great. Nt

[bluecollar2]

9. I haven't in the past

But might consider it on a small scale...

[intrepidity]

12. Well, message me if you decide to, please

I love lychee but have only had a fresh one once, nearly 40 years ago.

[bluecollar2]

15. All I'd ask is a nominal amount

To cover shipping and handling costs...

Where are you located?

[intrepidity]

16. CA nt

I know, the furthest possible from you...

[bluecollar2]

18. Would have to ship

Via USPS...flat rate.

Let's stay in touch...won't be harvesting until mid/late june.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

7. We need crops to replace citrus here in FL.

Greening shows no signs of going away.
Zones heading north fast.
Tough times in agriculture.
Love you guys and thanks for the hard work.

[bluecollar2]

13. Thanks for your support

We'll keep plugging away...

[Blue_true]

8. Can your produce be turned into up-market products like syrup, jams, jellies, pastes? nt

[bluecollar2]

10. Yes

The ice cream/sherbert process is very tasty

[Blue_true]

14. Can you make fruit syrups that people can use later?

Would fruit syrups keep long enough for you to hold the product until you can sell it? You can also sell it via Amazon, you can't do that for raw fruit. Just some ideas.

[bluecollar2]

17. I'm sure its possible

Problem is that I'm required to sell my product without modification....meaning as long as I sell it as fruit as picked it is not taxed by the state.

Should I "modify" the product...eg...juice, jam, jelly etc. It becomes a commodity on which I have to collect a sales tax.

[Blue_true]

19. The sales tax isn't an issue if you have demand.

I just threw out some ideas.

[bluecollar2]

21. Very true...and thanks

Right now I'm just trying to keep this grove going for a year or two before deciding what to do next.

80% of the grove is dedicated to lychee fruit production which looks to be unsustainable due to climate change.

Conversion to Longan fruit production is viable as the tree is more tolerant of warming but the cost if tree removal, replacement and lag time in production of marketable fruit production is an issue.

I am thinking of converting over to an Apiary...keeping bees on a large scale but that concept has it's own challenges.

[Blue_true]

22. Good luck, sounds like a challenging situation. nt

[bluecollar2]

23. It is

Thanks for your feedback.