MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) — Safety is a top priority when it comes to training in the fields amid the heat wave.
Steve Griffith is one of eight Linvilla Orchards farmers making changes in response to rising temperatures. He comes to work earlier, stays later and takes a long break around noon to avoid being outside in the hottest part of the day.
“It’s very important because you don’t want to risk heat stroke, dehydration, sun poisoning or just sunburn in general,” says Griffith.
Farm manager Norm Schultz encourages workers to stay hydrated. While the heat helps plants bloom, the lack of rain endangers crops.
“We can go three weeks without rain, and that’s about where we are right now,” Schultz said. “But right now a lot of plants, especially the potatoes and tomatoes, are bearing fruit, so we want to get water on them.”
Schultz said farmers irrigate to keep fields from drying out. The intense heat is impacting the farm in other ways. The department where you pick your own fruit may be closed for a few hours every day.
“We will definitely be open until about noon every morning,” Schultz said. “We may close at 12:00 or 1:00 p.m. So keep an eye on our website and if you’ve purchased tickets, we’ll send you an alert.”
Despite the heat wave, some customers, like Katy Corey of Claymont, Delaware, still came out to pick blueberries.
“It’s really hot,” Corey said. ‘Probably a bit oppressive. But the wind is nice and there is a bit of cloud. That won’t help us melt.’
Madeleine Wright
