‘We will not let this disaster define us’: Farmers scramble to replant produce after snowstorm
The winter snowstorm and rolling power outages created major problems for many Texans, especially farmers.
Cody Scott, owner of Green Bexar Farm in St. Hedwig, told MySA.com the power outages resulted in the farm losing 2,800 plants scattered throughout his two greenhouses. The nearly 1-acre farm launched in 2018 and typically makes half of its income from wholesale accounts that purchase their heirloom tomato, an open-pollinated, non-hybrid variety.
“When we got our electricity cut from CPS (Energy), we lost everything,” Scott said. “It’s been pretty devastating. We, as a grower, should have been included in that list for businesses that didn’t have their electricity shut off. We feed thousands of people, even as just a small farm. Now we can’t.”
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During last week’s snowstorm, city-owned utility business CPS Energy participated in the ordered rolling power outages forced by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the entity that manages and operates the electricity grid that covers much of Texas. However, the outages weren’t exactly rolling in 15-minute outages like CPS Energy planned. Many went days without electricity, except some hospitals and grocery stores.
Before the freezing temperatures hit, Scott said he did his due diligence, scouting the community for extra heaters for his greenhouses. Now, with more than 90 percent of his income gone, the local farmer said he and his wife are scrambling to replant spring vegetables. He noted he can no longer plant the heirloom tomato as it is too late in the season.
“We don’t have any produce to sell,” he said. “We won’t have any crops for like two months. We have zero income right now. We knew it was going to be bad, but losing electricity didn’t even cross my mind because we haven’t lost power here before.”
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Scott noted they will lose their house and farm if they don’t reach a minimum of 60 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) members soon. The CSA program is a weekly farm box customers pay in advance for. The setup comes with about $35 worth of seasonal fruits and vegetables, like watermelon, carrots, peppers, cucumbers, and green beans.
Before the snowstorm, Scott was ready to launch the 10-week CSA program on March 5. However, he has since pushed back his start date to April 30. He said the best way the community can help his farm and family right now is to sign up for the CSA program.
“Payment in advance helps us pay for our up-front costs of growing the produce,” he said. “Our plans are pivoting but we will not let this disaster define us. We will learn and grow from this.”
As of Thursday, Scott said the community is already reaching out after seeing his social media posts, as they have 20 sign-ups for the spring. You can click here to learn more and sign up. Note: there are pick-up locations in San Antonio or on his farm at 14997 FM 1346, Saint Hedwig – about 25 miles east of San Antonio.
Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @CillaAguirre
