Pumpkin growers in the southwestern United States are grappling with the impact of dwindling water supplies and the effects of climate change on their crops. Severe droughts and extreme heat, exacerbated by human-caused climate change, have taken a toll on agriculture in the region. Farmers are being forced to make tough choices about which crops to plant and how much land to leave bare due to limited water and rising electricity costs for irrigation.
Alan Mazzotti, a pumpkin grower in northeast Colorado, was hit hard this year when his water delivery was cut in half compared to the previous season. Despite heavy rains in May and June, it was too late to plant additional crops. Many farmers experienced losses of 20% or more of their expected yields. The hot and dry weather not only exceeded what irrigation could compensate for, but it also caused pumpkins to decompose before reaching stores if harvested during extreme heat.
Texas, known as the pumpkin capital of the state, faced challenges as well. Farmers had to decide whether to risk cutting pumpkins off the vines at the usual time or wait and miss the start of the fall pumpkin rush. As groundwater levels continue to drop, irrigation costs have soared, leading to higher energy bills for farmers. Lindsey Pyle, a pumpkin farmer in North Texas, reported a loss of about 20% of her yield this year.
The rising cost of irrigation is a concern shared by farmers across the region. Steven Ness, a farmer in central New Mexico, highlighted the issue of groundwater depletion and emphasized that aquifers can take hundreds or thousands of years to refill after being overused. Furthermore, climate change is reducing the amount of rain and snow needed to recharge them.
Labor costs are also a challenge. Harvesting pumpkins cannot be easily automated like corn, requiring significant labor to determine ripeness, cut them off the vines, and prepare them for shipping. Mazzotti, who hires guest workers through the H-2A program, highlighted the additional burden of Colorado’s recent law mandating overtime pay for farmworkers. These factors, along with the rising costs of irrigation and supplies, create a challenging situation for pumpkin farmers.
Despite the difficulties, some farmers remain hopeful and determined to continue growing pumpkins. Jill Graves, who added a pumpkin patch to her blueberry farm in Texas, plans to try again next year despite having to source pumpkins from a wholesaler this season. Mazzotti, however, sees a bleak future and believes his sons will not continue farming.
The water challenges facing pumpkin growers in the Southwest and West serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing impacts of climate change on agriculture. As water supplies dwindle and temperatures rise, farmers must make difficult decisions about their crops, battling not only the elements but also the increasing costs of irrigation and labor. The future of pumpkin farming in these regions looks uncertain, with long-term solutions needed to address groundwater depletion and the effects of climate change on water availability.
