Tropical Storm Ernesto did little or no crop damage in Southwest Florida. Growers are breathing a sigh of relief. That’s according to Gene MacAvoy – the vegetable extension agent for the University of Florida. They were fearing a category one or even two hurricane. MacAvoy says a storm of that magnitude could have been devastating.

“A lot of our growers have been impacted the last few seasons by gene, fran, charley – the whole alphabet soup of hurricanes that has hit south florida and we’ve had some freeze events and in the past year and poor market prices so a lot of them are economically stretched really thin and could ill afford any kind of major catastrophe”

Growers in Southwest Florida began planting tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash about two weeks ago. MacAvoy says Ernesto’s gentle rain and light winds will do no harm to fields.


Growers in Southwest Florida are breathing a sigh of relief – Tropical Storm Ernesto did little if any damage to newly planted crops. In fact, Gene MacAvoy, vegetable extension agent for the University of Florida, says the storm may have benefited some growers.

“a lot of areas were still kind of on the dry side so we could – even if we get another inch or two of rain before the storm moves off most places will be able to accommodate that with no problem, just miss a day of work and get on with business.”

Growers have just started planting the fall crop of tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and squash. Southwest Florida is leading producer of these vegetables staples.