Soons Orchard has called their property in New Hampton home for over a century. Although it’s stood the test of time, it becomes harder each season due to the effects of climate change.

“It’s like Las Vegas in the dirt,” said Sharon Soons.

Sharon is the daughter of Art Soons, who converted the former dairy farm into a full-time orchard and helps with its day-to-day operation.

Every year, they gamble with whatever hand Mother Nature gives them, and this year it’s a fight with climate change. Inconsistent temperatures that plagued them during the early months set back this year’s harvest.

“The weather is completely unpredictable these days, which is exactly what happened to the apples and peaches,” said Soons.

She can pinpoint the exact night it happened.

“We got hit in April with a night that went all the way down to 26,” said Soons.

After a week that peaked in the 80s, a late season frost on April 18 caused many of the buds on peach and apple trees to die.

“That’s the whole thing with this climate change stuff; it’s just so unpredictable,” said Soons.

Soons Orchard consists of over 55 different types of apples that guests can pick from any fall day. The USDA estimated 2021 apple production for New York State totaled 1.3 billion pounds, down four percent from 2020. Soons Orchard hosts thousands of visitors every fall, to pick apples and enjoy their market.

With a small harvest expected this fall, it’s left the historic apple orchard considering the unthinkable.

“My father wants us to buy apples … because we don’t have enough apples to sell,” said Soons.

Soons can consider herself a part-time meteorologist, considering how frequently she checks the weather radars.

“It’s supposed to be 86 today; that’s good,” said Soons as she checks the weather for another day.

For the time being, the farm is good, but she hopes temperatures level out sooner rather than later.

“We just want a little balance,” exclaims Soons.