GOUGH, Ga. (WJBF)- As we continue to track Helene’s damage around the CSRA, the storm is causing more headaches for farmers in our rural counties.
A drought, Tropical Storm Debby, and now Hurricane Helene—the hits just keep coming for farmers around the Peach State, including Burke County Pecan Farmer Jeb Barrow.
“I just can’t believe it in this circumstance. I’m 77 years old, and I didn’t anticipate to be dealing with something like this at this age, but it’s the way it is,” said Barrow.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced Helene’s economic impact on the state’s agriculture is an estimated $6.46 billion.
The state pecan industry perhaps taking the hardest hit.
For Barrow, hundreds of downed trees across his 1300 acres of property wipes away years of hard work.
“I think we’ve lost over half of them, so that’s over half your revenue,” Barrow said. “When you lose an orchard, you don’t just lose that year’s production, and the expense it takes to clean it up. It takes, in best case, 7, 8, 9 years to get these orchards up to a level where you really get economic return out of them.”
While some farmers are not so lucky, Barrow does have crop and hurricane insurance.
His crop insurance company assessed the damage, comparing the aftermath to Hurricane Michael—which hit the Peach State 6 years ago to the date.
“I just can’t believe how far north this devastation was, whereas Michael was mainly towards the Albany area and lower Georgia. This came up all the way to Augusta—I’ve never heard of this before,” said Chris Logan.
While some undamaged trees are starting the growing process, Barrow says the focus is getting started on what will be a long road to recovery.
“I’ve got two track hoes running, four tractors dragging, and chainsaws. We hope to get through all of this in a couple months, and then start replanting this one. I’ve got trees ordered to replant with, and like I said earlier it gives me something to do with the rest of my life,” said Barrow.
According to the University of Georgia Pecan Extension Office, the damage is primarily to the mature and older trees.
Orchards in Emanuel County saw a 75% tree loss, with orchards in Burke and Jefferson counties seeing a 90% tree loss.
As the farmers continue to navigate harvest season, it’s clear the storm has impacted their land, and the money in their pockets.
Source - https://www.wjbf.com
