Farmers Struggle to Recover from Ernesto Impacts

Farmers impacted by the recent passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto say they have no time to wait. Several told of damage to infrastructure needed to grow, harvest and sell their crops and livestock.

Reports of storm damage to local farms were heard territory-wide, although some said they fared well. Damaged infrastructure led the list of problems along with dead livestock, withered crops and uprooted fruit trees.

But not all were unfortunate. On St. Thomas, Leroy Richardson said Ernesto largely left him alone. “The only problem I have is water running from downhill through my farm. My farm is just below the market at Bordeaux Farms,” Richardson said.