In Grainger County, the renowned tomato production faced a significant setback due to severe weather. Shane Pierce's family farm, a 112-acre establishment dedicated to tomato cultivation, experienced nearly 40% crop loss after strong winds ravaged the plants and the greenhouses crucial for their growth.
Pierce Farms, which saw all 16 of its greenhouses damaged, estimates repair costs and revenue losses to amount to half a million dollars. Despite this, Pierce remains optimistic about fulfilling supply commitments to local grocery stores and the annual Grainger County Tomato Festival in July. He commented on the resilience required in agriculture, urging consumers to appreciate the efforts of farmers. Pierce also mentioned that he does not anticipate the farm's losses to affect tomato prices in the current season.
Source: wvlt.tv