Local Farmers Discuss Flood Devastation, Ongoing Drought Conditions

By: Elton Kulak

Special to the Star

Some local farmers are still trying to bounce back after they lost entire crops to the rising waters of the Blanco River during the Memorial Day weekend flooding.

Daniel Velasquez, a San Marcos Farmer’s Market vendor of three years, lost nearly his entire crop due to the May floods.

“(The flood) affected a lot,” Velasquez said. “(I had) 65 plants and the river took them all.”

Velasquez said even the crops that survived had their growth stunted by the weather.

The peppers Velasquez displayed in his booth at the Aug. 29 farmer’s market were noticeably smaller compared to those offered in supermarkets. Velasquez noted the vegetables possessed a weathered texture due to their exposure to the elements.

Volunteers and community members aided farmers during the aftermath of the flood by setting up work crews to salvage crops and keep the flooding at bay, said Kevin Adams, local farmer’s market manager and owner of Cascabel Farms.

Velasquez said a shortage of workers prevented disaster relief efforts from benefitting all who needed it.

Some small-scale growers, like Velasquez, did not have any work crews arrive to help save what remained of their spring harvest.

Adams said the drought has been easier for the farmers to handle than the flood. During drought-like conditions, there are no weeds, mud or insects to deal with while cultivating crops.

Adams said being a farmer means being resilient to things like inclement weather and climate change.

Regardless of harsh weather conditions faced by local farmers, the Aug. 29 market brought a steady stream of customers looking to buy produce from the various booths.

“Weather is a given,” Adams said. “You have to be prepared for extremes.”

Elton Kulak is special to the University Star where this article originally published.

Follow Elton Kulak on Twitter at @EltonKulak.