Cassandra Bare, owner of Harvest Farm in Valle Crucis, successfully protected a significant portion of her pumpkin crop during a recent storm, demonstrating the effectiveness of preparedness measures implemented after a previous devastating weather event. Dozens of pumpkins were secured in barrels and on pallets outside Harvest Farm as Hurricane Isaias’ outer bands brought flooding to the area.
Bare, who began growing pumpkins years ago to teach her children about farming, described the annual tradition as a cherished part of fall, emphasizing that "everybody comes out and gets a pumpkin." She noted the widespread excitement among visitors, both new and returning, who make it a family tradition to select their pumpkins each year.
This successful partial harvest stood in stark contrast to the farm's experience in 2024, when the remnants of Hurricane Helene blew through, completely destroying all the pumpkins and wiping out much of the farm's seasonal offerings. That past devastation left a lasting impact on Bare. When Hurricane Isaias approached, she quickly activated established protocols to minimize damage.
Bare and her team harvested as many pumpkins as possible before the rising water made further efforts impossible. She recounted that efforts continued "until we couldn't get the tractor across the creek anymore," marking the limit of their pre-storm actions. While not every pumpkin could be saved, Bare expressed a pragmatic acceptance, calling such losses "part of farming" that she has learned to navigate. She reflected that while the memory of Helene still causes stress, the recent storm served as "a good trial run and things went OK," indicating the improved outcome.
In addition to the pumpkins, Bare confirmed that other key parts of Harvest Farm also withstood the recent weather. Her corn maze remained intact despite the heavy rain, and her flowers also made it through the storm without significant damage.
The farmer highlighted that Harvest Farm has instituted new protocols specifically in response to the extensive damage sustained during Hurricane Helene. She urged all residents of the High Country to embrace a similar mindset of preparedness, stating that everyone needs to "stay prepared in case another storm is just around the corner." Her experience underscores the importance of proactive planning for agricultural operations and residents alike in a region prone to severe weather events. The continuation of Harvest Farm's beloved autumn tradition, with its variety of pumpkins awaiting visitors, stands as a testament to resilience and strategic planning in the face of nature's challenges.
