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Freeze Damage Reports Worrisome For State's Farmers

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By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 26, 2009

TAMPA - Farmers across the state are still assessing damage from last week's string of freezes, but early reports show green beans, potatoes and squash were hit by the frigid temperatures.

Around Belle Glade, southeast of Lake Okeechobee, green beans suffered what some growers described as "tremendous" damage, said Liz Compton, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Compton said some farmers there saw their green bean crops wiped out; others reported up to 80 percent of the crop damaged.

Green bean crops around Immokalee were hit but not as severely.

South Florida farmers produce most of the domestic green beans this time of year. The severe losses likely will mean Florida-grown green beans will be in short supply for the next couple of months, Compton said.

Also, potatoes in Central and South Florida that were just over a week from the first harvest could see half the crop ruined by temperatures that dropped below freezing for hours as far south as the Everglades.

Local strawberry growers reported relatively little damage.

Last week was the first time since January 2003 that nearly the entire state saw freezing temperatures. Only areas near both coasts escaped the bitter cold.

Crops of bell peppers and squash in Immokalee pretty much escaped damage, but squash near Belle Glade was hit.

That may cut the squash supply for a few weeks, Compton said.

Citrus growers also continue checking on their crops. Freezing temperatures can render oranges useless as fresh fruit, although they still can be harvested for juice.

This week's warm weather may bring grove owners further problems by accelerating any damage to the fruit, Compton said. Growers will have to pick fruit quickly to salvage what they can.

Earlier today, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, toured a Hillsborough County grove that had significant leaf damage and some freezing in the fruit. Damage to citrus crops varies greatly, he said.

Tropical fish farmers are trying to calculate how badly the freeze struck their ponds. They are beginning to see more deaths from disease afflicting fish weakened by the cold, Putnam said.

It is too early to get damage reports solid enough to request federal disaster assistance, but the numbers may be available by the end of the week, he said.

"As soon as we get certification of the estimates, our Congressional delegation is committed to move quickly to pursue disaster relief," Putnam said.

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731 or njohnson@tampatrib.com.

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