For the rest of August and most of September, there will be no fresh produce from Wood River Organics. Due to a surprise hailstorm that rolled through east Bellevue on Friday evening, the company lost its entire crop.
According to business owner Judd McMahan, dime-sized balls of hail followed by heavy sheets of rain pelted his fields for at least 20 minutes.
"It was like nothing I have ever seen," McMahan said. "There was just so much water."
McMahan estimated the company lost about $12,000 in future revenue. Additionally, due to potential soil contamination from runoff, Wood River Organics will have to resubmit soil samples for inspection.
Wood River Organics is part of Idaho's Bounty, a sustainable regional food network in South Central Idaho. The group delivers fresh, organic, regionally grown produce and items to the Wood River Valley every two weeks. The program is based on similar grassroots co-ops in Oklahoma, Montana and elsewhere. The emphasis is on local—rather than industrial—production. For a one-time fee of $75, Idaho's Bounty customers can browse hundreds of items offered by dozens of producers in the region, purchase food on-line each month and pick up their groceries every other Wednesday at the National Guard Armory in Hailey and at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum.
McMahan intends to remain part of that group. But, he said, he'll have to get his farm re-certified.
"It is almost a joke because we had our certification done eight hours prior," McMahan said.
While Wood River Organics was not insured, the farm is home to a horse boarding facility, which will keep the owners and their company going.
As will McMahan's positive attitude.
"You know, there is a silver lining," McMahan said. "Now, we can get ready for next year. We'll plant some berries and build some greenhouses, which will really help get our lettuce out earlier next season."
McMahan expects to be back with some produce for the local farmers' market in about a month—unfortunately, after most of the tourists, his main consumers, are gone.
Judd McMahan, owner of Wood River Organics, shows some of his produce destroyed by Friday’s hailstorm. While he lost everything, he hopes to be back in business next month. Photo by Willy Cook
