Freeberg IL Sept 21, 2007
Over the 20-23 Sept weekend in Freeberg IL. the annual apple and peach harvest event was held. This is a once
a year occurrence that takes place at "Eckerts Apple Farm" allowing the general public an opportunity to actually go
out into the apple and peach orchard fields and pick their own apples and peaches from the trees.
This year however was much different then "any other year". In the 95 year history of Eckerts apple farm,
no other year compared to the global warming effects produced in 2007.
Reason being, frost and drought caused the apple tree blossoms to not produce as they normally would. So much so that
over 50% of the apples normally produced at this farm were destroyed. The general public could NOT pick their own apples from
the trees because the shortage was so devastating.
The size of the apples were half the normal size and more then half of the amount usually produced were destroyed.
The peach trees that Eckerts Farm is famous for were also effected. So much so that No peach tree picking was allowed
at all to the general public.
In 2006 Eckerts peach trees produced 77.000 peaches. In 2007 Eckerts peach trees produced only 1.800 peaches. A 97 percent
loss.
Global warming in U.S. cities is having devastating effects on individuals as well as Americas agricultural produce.
Branson Missouri May 1, 2007
The trees and small plants have not yet recovered (doubtful if they well fully) from the late spring and very cold temperatures
that have devastated the the Missouri region this year.
In 47 years of living in Missouri I have never witnessed such destruction to the plants and trees as this. When
you look out your widows its as if November has arrived not May. The majority of all the trees are brown with dead leaves
falling to the ground daily.
There's no doubt that the climate is making very strange weather patterns here in the Midwest city of Branson Mo. and
in other U.S. cities across the Nation.
It has been said that an Ice Age follows every global warming trend that has ever happened. If this is the first signs
of a shift from warm to cold, next year will be even worse.
E. Kasikantiris