Fresno strawberry farmers see damage to crops after recent rains
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Strawberry season is underway across the valley and farmers say recent rains have caused big losses in their crop.
Strawberry farmer Kao Seatern holds his breath every time he sees rain in the forecast.
“This year looks like a really bad year for strawberry farming cause a lot of rain has come every weekend,” said Seatern.
Two weeks ago, a storm left Seatern’s two aces of strawberries near Shaw and Grantland Avenues in Fresno under several inches of water.
Seatern says it takes three days to pump the water out but by that time the damage is already done.
So far he says half of the first strawberries picked from his fields had to be thrown away because they are soft and splitting open from several days of flooded fields.
He also says too much water can also affect the strawberries’ taste.
“If the strawberry plant gets a lot of water and the strawberry gets no flavor,” Seatern said.
While rain poses several problems for strawberry farmers, it could also serve as a lifeline by extending the season to the summer.
Seatern says every berry helps.
“Every time we are making a little money for a living,” said Seatern.
