US (NY): Zittel farm operation suffers ‘devastating’ damage in storm
“We’ve lost so much,” said Paul Zittel, a third-generation member of the family. “It’s put us right out of the business (for now). It’s millions of dollars we’re going to lose. There’s nothing we can grow right now.”
There also was damage at a number of other agricultural businesses in Eden – DJ Brawdy Farms on Jennings Road in Eden lost four greenhouses – and farmers were just beginning to assess their losses Friday.
The area’s congressional delegation today called for federal assistance for farms that have suffered damaged in the storm.
Sens. Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Reps. Brian Higgins and Chris Collins urged Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide an immediate assessment of the damage done to Western New York farms, as well as to have the Department of Agriculture stand at the ready to swiftly approve any requests from upstate New York farmers for federal disaster assistance following the historic snowstorm. County officials have said they expect the cost of this disaster to meet the criteria needed for federal support, and, if it does, Schumer, Gillibrand, Higgins and Collins said that New York State farmers who incurred loss due to the storm should be able to seek USDA disaster assistance.
The Zittel family – which is well known for its vegetables, flowers and long farming history – is determined to rebuild and do whatever it takes to get back in operation. The pressure to do that is intense since the family begins seeding vegetables and lettuce, in particular, before the end of January.
“The big thing for us is to be able to rebuild,” Terry Zittel, wife of William Zittel, one of the owners, said Friday. “The houses used for vegetable production are totally gone. To rebuild them will be at least half a million dollars.”
The family grows pepper plants, cabbage, lettuce, eggplant, summer squash and the list goes on.
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