Butler County strawberry growers deal with dry spell
Early June marks the start of strawberry season in Western Pennsylvania. Unfortunately for both growers and consumers in the area, Mother Nature is making this a less fruitful season.
A combination of high temperatures and periods of little to no rainfall has led some farms to lower-than-expected production of berries, especially strawberries, which generally require 1 to 2 inches of rain per week to keep their roots from drying out.
Already, sacrifices have had to be made. Earlier this week, Soergel Orchards in Wexford announced the cancellation of its annual Strawberry Festival, which was scheduled for Sunday, June 11. The strawberry crop in Soergel’s fields simply wasn’t big enough this year.
“We understand the disappointment this news may bring, as the festival holds a special place in our hearts,” wrote head farmer Adam Voll on Facebook. “We don’t feel like we can provide an experience that you have grown to love and expect while you're here.”
