Pear harvest ahead of schedule

Notice: Undefined index: v in /store1/home/old/public_html/temp.php on line 85

Talent, Ore. — This week kicks off the harvest of one of the Rogue Valley’s most prized crops, the pear. Getting to this year’s harvest brings relief for some orchardists, but they aren’t in the clear just yet.

“When you deal with Mother Nature you’re not in total control,” says Ron Meyer of Meyer Orchards in Talent.

It’s a fact Meyer has learned over decades of operating 100 acres of pear trees.

“The harvest is in full swing now,” says Meyer. “That’s what we have worked all year to accomplish.”

An accomplishment that hasn’t always been easy to get to. Back in February there was the fear of frost. Then spring brought drought concerns and worry of unusually high temperatures. That hasforced Meyer’s crops to mature ahead of schedule.

“This actually is the earliest year that i’ve seen us ever start picking barlett pears,” he says.

The next couple of weekswill requirea lot of work. Meyer has about a dozen workers spread out through row upon row of orchards. Fast but steady work is imperative to business as wind and even hail is the next possible threat.

Meyer wouldn’t change anything about his demanding year round job, after all he’s been doing this for more than 40 years and it’s a jobhe takes great pride in.

“It takes skill and technology and it takes some luck. When you achieve that its a wonderful feeling!”

© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.

Skip to content