Drought's effects trickle down to Ala. farmer's markets | News

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)- The effects of the dry weather can be seen at some Alabama Farmer's Markets in Montgomery.

Local farmers and vendors say some of your favorite summer produce are not as plentiful this season. You may not see a lot of corn for sale at the Alabama Agriculture and Industries Farmer's Market on Fairview Avenue or the State Farmer's Market off Federal Drive.

"The yield of some of things are a little bit smaller because of the drought. They may have a hard time finding crops like field corn and so forth, but they are still looking for those tomatoes and Chilton county peaches, the normal summer produce," Fairview Farmer's Market Manager Flora Brown said.

Autauga County farmer Ralph Brown sells his crop at the Fairview Farmer's Market.

"You have to sell it a little bit higher than you usually sell it," Brown said.

Brown says he would normally have double the amount of produce. He says the watermelons really took a beating.

"I had about 25 watermelons this morning and I usually have 200," Brown said.

Jean Wright is a vendor at the State Farmer's Market off Federal Drive.

"Peas and butter beans have been a little bit higher than last year and they've not really been that scare but they haven't turned out that good," Wright said.

Wright's produce is known for it's Chilton County peaches.

"The peaches are getting close to their end and they haven't been as big this year, taste wise they've been good," Wright said.

Vendors say what has been their saving grace is receiving produce from other farmers in the state who are not being affected by the drought.

Both the Fairview Farmer's Market and the Farmer's Market off Federal Drive are open seven days a week.

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