Farmers see new seasonal challenges ahead

BLUE HILL—As the weather slowly warms, local farms are gearing up for the growing season amidst a climate of uncertainty.

- ELI FORMAN

Many of the peninsula’s small scale farms operate a direct-to-consumer model, where farmers bypass wholesalers and market their products straight to customers.

Typically this happens through farm stands, CSAs and perhaps most important, farmers markets.

If COVID-19 restrictions continue throughout the summer, the question of what farmers markets will look like has been a significant concern for the peninsula’s growers and food producers.

Farmers markets are included under the list of essential businesses, and as it currently stands, the Blue Hill Farmers Market is planning on its usual start date of May 23. It’s still unclear what public safety measures will be taken, but some combination of social distancing requirements, enhanced hygiene measures and restrictions on music performances and vendors selling crafts are being discussed.

Despite this uncertain future, many area farms have seen an increase in sales over the past month.