Sunflower Festival wilts amid drought conditions
The annual event at Schwirian Farm had to be canceled as farmers throughout the region fight to save their crops.
A dry summer has led to headaches for local farmers who are feeling the heat as they struggle to maintain their crops and get fresh produce on tables.
According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, June saw about 1.16 less inches of rain than it typically does.
Most of the Mon Valley is currently experiencing some level of drought conditions.
On July 18, the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh announced a drought information statement for eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania.
According to the NWS in Pittsburgh, conditions are due to the lack of precipitation and high temperatures.
Rain has averaged around 1 to 3 inches in past months, with those amounts only reaching 20-50% of precipitation typically expected during that time.
Temperatures also well above normal have also contributed to the drought conditions across the Mon Valley and the surrounding region.
According to the NWS, impacts have been minimal, with crops remaining in “fair-good” condition, though some farmers have begun to haul in water for their cattle.
The river has also been minimally impacted, though some low water levels have brought concerns that it could impact navigation. No official hydraulic impacts are currently being noted, according to the NWS.
The U.S. Drought Monitor depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. In the Mon Valley, nearly every community is showing signs of drought.
The map uses five classifications: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1– D4).
This map is used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to trigger some disaster declarations and loan eligibility. Individual states and water supply planning may use additional information to inform their declarations and actions.
Allegheny County currently is being considered “abnormally dry” with conditions affecting 47,458 people, a 100% increase from June.
When conditions are abnormally dry, crop growth is stunted, planting is delayed, fire danger is elevated, the spring fire season starts early, lawns brown early, gardens begin to wilt and surface water levels decline.
While Westmoreland County is experiencing abnormally dry conditions in the northern part of the county, areas in the Mon Valley like Monessen, North Belle Vernon and Rostraver Township, along with Perryopolis in Fayette County, are in a moderate drought, which is the first of four drought categories.
In a moderate drought, irrigation use increases, hay and grain yields are lower than normal, honey production declines, wildfires and ground fires increase, trees and landscaping are stressed, fish are stressed, voluntary water conservation is requested and reservoir and lake levels are below normal capacity.
The majority of Washington County is in a similar situation, experiencing moderate drought conditions, but areas farthest west in the county and along the Ohio border are seeing impacts of severe drought, which means in that area specialty crops are impacted in both yield and fruit size, producers begin feeding cattle, hay prices are high, warnings are issued on outdoor burns, air quality is poor, trees are brittle and susceptible to insects, fish kills occur, wildlife move to farms for food, water quality is poor, groundwater is declining, irrigation ponds are dry and outdoor water restrictions are implemented.
In Fayette County, there is a nearly vertical split between moderate and severe drought conditions, with the communities west of the Youghiogheny River mostly seeing moderate conditions, and those to the east of the river experiencing severe drought.
Local impact
The heat and lack of rain have made a local impact, despite national reports, according to local farmers.
Not only have conditions affected crops and cattle, they have led to a lack of food sources for wildlife, leading animals to more populated areas and in some cases fields or farms to find food.
Schwirian Farm, located in Forward Township, Allegheny County, had to cancel its popular sunflower festival.
In 2020, the farm opened to the public for the first time as it welcomed residents from across the region to frolic through their flowing fields of sunflowers.
Since then, the festival has become a popular way to spend a warm day in the sun with friends and family exploring through nearly 20 acres of vibrant flowers of more than 90 varieties.
The family refers to it as the “Sea of Sunflowers,” but it hasn’t developed this year because of the weather and hungry wildlife.
“It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of this year’s sunflower festival,” Leslee Schwirian announced online. “Despite our best efforts, the severe drought conditions have led to a significant shortage of nutrition for our local wildlife.
“As a result, deer have unfortunately consumed all the buds from our sunflower plants, leaving us without the beautiful blooms we were so eagerly anticipating.”
She added that the family is eager to welcome people back to its fields in 2025.
“We understand the disappointment this news brings, especially to those who each year look forward to visiting our farm, capturing stunning photographs and supporting local farms at our festival,” she said. “Our commitment to our community remains strong, and we are planning for a brighter, more prosperous season next year.”
The family said photographers and other vendors who had already sent deposits to secure their spots will be reimbursed, but some have offered to let the family keep the money as a donation for their continued efforts.
Mark Duda of Duda’s Farm has also seen a lot of damage from wildlife.
He took to social media Saturday to provide an update on the problems his crops are facing with a 10-minute long
00074983 video that shows the damage first hand.
Watermelon, tomatoes and corn have been obliterated, he said.
“We have had substantial damage also to our sweet corn, which have been damaged by black birds,” he said. “We are using propane canons … almost every vegetable farmer uses these. I know it had made some of the neighbors upset, but we are doing all we can to save our crops because it is literally that severe.”
In the video, he showed thousands of watermelons destroyed by crows, who have also taken to tomato crops.
“The birds come down, land on top of the ear, and peck at it so it looks like it’s shredded,” he said. “Sometimes they almost shuck the whole ear. In dry years, especially like this year, it’s a bad problem.”
Duda has been speaking with other farmers across the area who are up against similar problems.
“Everyone is seeing this damage. It’s like we have never seen before in the history of our farm; it is that bad,” he said. “We are doing all we can. From shooting them, to scaring them, anything imaginable. It’s almost too much. It’s almost overwhelming.”
He said deer are also a problem on the farm, particularly for white sweet corn.
“We are in our last few days of white, the next three fields, which would be over the next three weeks, the deer have decimated,” he said. “They have literally mowed it. No tassels, no tops to pollinate.”
Duda said he doesn’t expect to have white corn until Labor Day.
“We are hoping we can save those fields, but it’s really serious, the animal damage is serious,” he said. “We are doing all we can. Crop control, working with the game commissioners to get this resolved, but it is too much.”
Duda said he doesn’t want to complain, but he hopes people understand what farmers are up against.
“I just want to explain to people, we are trying to grow food and these animals are destroying it,” he said. “It’s good food we are trying to grow for you, right here in Pennsylvania, on our farm in Fayette County. This issue with the animals, it’s unbelievable how hard it is to grow crops. What a plant goes through to get to your table, it’s so, so much.”
Brad Pugh, a drought expert with the National Weather Service, confirmed that the current weather conditions can cause problems for farmers.
“Moderate to severe drought causes a drying of topsoil and can also provide increased crop stress due to higher water demand,” Pugh said. “Soil moisture is below the 10th percentile across southwestern Pennsylvania.”
He said a dry June that continued in July is to blame.
“June was drier than normal and that dry pattern continued into July,” Pugh said. “The 60-day precipitation deficits are 3 to 5 inches in Allegheny and Washington counties and more than 5 inches in Fayette and Westmoreland counties.
“In addition to the lack of rainfall recently, periods of heat have worsened the drought conditions. Temperatures have averaged above normal since the beginning of July.”
Cooler temperatures and more frequent rainfall would help improve drought conditions. Allegheny, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties could see relief soon.
“Rainfall later this week should at least end the worsening of drought conditions, and slow improvement is expected during the next few months,” Pugh said.
Drought conditions, while not always common, are not new to the region.
“Drought affected southwestern Pennsylvania during the summers of 2023 and 2020,” he said. “Although there were periods of abnormal dryness, drought was not designated for southwestern Pennsylvania from 2010 to 2019 according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.”
Meteorologists in Pittsburgh say a return of southwesterly flow and Gulf moisture should bring a better chance for rain soon.
There is a 33-40% chance for above normal precipitation starting this week.
“Everyone is seeing this damage. It’s like we have never seen before in the history of our farm; it is that bad.”
MARK DUDA
DUDA’S FARM
