LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Agricultural Commissioner”s office sent out a frost damage survey to area farmers last week in order to apply for a USDA Secretarial Disaster Declaration that would provide financial assistance to farmers.
In an April freeze damage report to the Lake County Farm Bureau, Agricultural Commissioner Steve Hajik wrote, “The Agricultural Commissioner”s office is aware of the freeze damage to the crops in Lake County. We have delayed sending out freeze damage surveys because of the duration of this latest cold wave and of the possibility of not getting a complete picture of the damage countywide.”
If the state grants the USDA disaster designation for Lake County, farmers are usually able to receive low-interest loans or grants to recoup some of the crop loss due to frost damage.
For some farmers, frost-damaged walnut orchards are an even more acute loss this year, because the week after the worst April frost that occurred mid-month, many farmers received notice of the highest return prices yet for walnuts for the coming harvest. And for some, that harvest is no more.
After years of decline, more walnut orchards are being planted in the county. A new orchard was planted in Upper Lake about five years ago, an orchard was replanted on Bell Hill Road a few years ago and a new orchard is being put in on Highland Springs Road near Highway 29. The crop is again profitable, after years of being pulled out to be replaced by grapes.
“People are resurrecting orchards. Walnuts are on a roll right now, the market is really good for them at the moment. The prices have been good for the last three or four years,” long-time grower Broc Zoller said.
Walnuts brought in about $1 up to about $1.39 per pound last season. “That is awfully good money. You can get one and a half to two tons per acre for orchards that are irrigated,” Zoller said.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
