BRANDON, S.D. (KELO) — A growing season that started with promise was derailed by June flooding for one local producer. But Cherry Rock Farms in Brandon is hoping to end the year on a high note.
“This season has just been one thing after another,” Cherry Rock Farms owner Laura Patzer said.
Nearly three months after flooding wiped out more than 70% of their crop, life is finally returning to normal at Cherry Rock Farms.
“We really are feeling fortunate, excited about the fall. A lot of the things that we replanted after we flooded in June, we’re starting to see the fruits of that,” Laura Patzer said.
“We have a lot of stuff in the market right now. We have everything from green beans to cabbage, cucumbers, zucchini, all the normal stuff. We’ve even got a nice patch of sweet corn that we’re harvesting right now,” Cherry Rock Farms owner Marco Patzer said.
It’s currently a self-serve setup as owners Marco and Laura Patzer work the fields as a two-person crew.
“We’re not tired of each other yet but we have our days (laughs),” Marco Patzer said.
This summer has one final test.
“Everybody’s favorite thing about our farm is the pumpkin patch at the end of the season,” Marco Patzer said.
The Patzers are visiting the pumpkin patch for the first time in weeks and are prepared for the worst…
“We want to see color. We want to see them starting to ripen like this one,” Marco Patzer said.
…but it’s good news.
“It’s starting to happen, they’re starting to ripen,” Marco Patzer said.
“We’re really encouraged by what we saw out there. Everything was replanted after the flood for the most part, so we’re seeing a lot of pumpkins sizing up, we’re seeing them changing colors so we’re super excited for fall,” Laura Patzer said.
And to reconnect with their customers.
“It’ll be nice to have a fall where we can actually talk with customers a lot and just kind of get them back out here and show them how much we appreciate them,” Laura Patzer said.
The Patzers plan to open the pumpkin patch to customers the first week of October.
