Kentucky pumpkin harvest woes

By Blake Jackson

Pumpkin farmers across the United States are reporting a challenging growing season, due to factors such as drought, heavy rainfall, and extreme heat. As a result, some farms may have a shorter pumpkin supply this fall.

In Kentucky, farmer Nathan Huyck told ABC News that he received 10 inches of rain in August, which is significantly more than the 1 inch of rain he received in August of previous years. This heavy rainfall has made it difficult for pumpkins to grow and ripen. As a result, Huyck's pumpkin harvest is about half of his usual yield.

To supplement his supply, Huyck has turned to other pumpkin farms. This is a common strategy among farmers when weather conditions impact their pumpkin crops.

While some farms may have fewer pumpkins or open fewer days than usual, there will still be pumpkins available this fall. Illinois, the largest pumpkin-producing state in the nation, is reporting a good pumpkin season overall.

"We were really concerned early on in the season with the summer, with the drought, followed by a lot of rain," Raghela Scavuzzo, the associate director of food systems development for the Illinois Farm Bureau, told ABC News. "But we're really happy to announce that overall, this is gonna be a pretty good pumpkin season."

If you are planning to purchase pumpkins this fall, it is a good idea to check with your local farm to see if they have a pumpkin shortage. You may also want to consider purchasing your pumpkins early in the season to ensure that you have a good selection to choose from.

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