Farmers Battle Relentless Heat to Save Crops and Protect Workers

By Shelia Mader

With record-breaking heat blanketing much of the Southeast, farmers across Jackson County are grappling with extreme temperatures, struggling to keep crops alive while also safeguarding the health of their workers.

Local producers say this summer has brought an unprecedented stretch of high heat and dry conditions, with weeks passing without meaningful rainfall and temperatures consistently climbing above 90 degrees. For farmers like Jeffrey Pittman of the Jeff and Ginger Pittman Farm Partnership, the effects have been punishing.

“When the temperature exceeds 90 degrees, the crops have a hard time,” Pittman said. “The peanuts won’t pin in the ground because the soil temperatures get so excessive. It brings on a whole host of problems, new insects, increased white mold fungus, and other stressors.”

In northeast Jackson County, Pittman reports less than an inch of rainfall over the past month. While some fields are equipped with irrigation, many are not, leaving parts of his operation vulnerable to the heat and dryness.

“We can irrigate some crops, but not all. And those we can’t irrigate are really starting to suffer,” Pittman explained. “Irrigations are meant to supplement rainfall, not completely replace it. Running irrigation constantly drives up costs, which are already at an all-time high.”

At Spanish Trail Farms, Owner and President Trent Childs is facing similar challenges. His team has seen an impact not just on plant health, but on the structure and quality of their produce.

“This heat’s been wild,” Childs said. “During the middle of the day, the plants wilt down. The bees can’t even work in this kind of heat, so we’re dealing with mis-pollination. Some of the fruit is starting to decay from the inside.”

To fight back, Childs has adapted harvesting schedules and irrigation strategies. His crews now begin picking at daylight and stop around noon, returning before sundown and using light towers to finish the work in cooler conditions.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep our guys safe,” he said. “Plenty of water, Gatorade, shade breaks—it’s dangerous out there with heat indexes over 100.”

One tool in Childs’ toolbox is drip irrigation beneath the plastic mulch, which helps retain moisture and minimize plant stress. But he notes the heat is forcing crops to grow irregularly, with some growing too fast and developing deformities.

For veteran farmer Bud Baggett, the most urgent concern isn’t just the crops, it's the people.

“It’s definitely been a challenge, one that it seems we face year after year,” Baggett said. “We’re getting hotter weather each season. I don’t remember this many 100-degree days before, and the heat index has been off the charts.”

Baggett says he’s implementing as many safety measures as possible, shifting hours, encouraging hydration, and ensuring shade and rest, but admits the stress on his team is heavy.

“Of course, I’m concerned for my crops,” he said. “But my biggest concern is my employees. Bottom line, we can grow more crops next season, but you can’t replace lives or health.”

As the summer stretches on and forecasts offer little relief, Jackson County farmers continue to do what they’ve always done: adapt, endure, and press forward, one blistering day at a time.