Kim Witherow of Haff Acres Farm is at the weekly Mayville Farmers Market. Haff Acres Farms will continue to be a part of the event through Labor Day. P-J photos by Katrina Fuller

During the first summer after the COVID-19 lockdowns, some area farmers are reporting they are on the upswing from last year.

With the significant drop in area foot traffic last year, partnered with the restrictions of the pandemic, many local businesses suffered — including those in the agricultural field.

Kim Witherow of Haff Acres Farm was recently set up at the Mayville Farmers Market. She said COVID-19 did have an impact on the farm, as foot traffic at the market was significantly slower last year.

“It was in terms of traffic because we rely a lot on Chautauqua Institution,” she said. “Without Chautauqua Institution (last year), we took a big hit. (This year,) traffic has picked up. People are happy to be out, being able to talk with others and buy things. It has picked up since we’ve been freer.”

Witherow said the farm offers a variety of items, all locally sourced within 50 miles.

“We have the first apples of the season,” she said. “We have the last cherries of the season, and we’re going strong with the summer staples of corn, beans, tomatoes and zucchini. We also have a good crop of peaches that people are really enjoying.”

Witherow asked community members to remember to visit local farms and farmers markets this summer as it is incredibly helpful and keeps the local economy going.

“Come out and support us — there are a lot of local small businesses that are here and it really helps if you spend your dollar there,” she said.

Roberto Fred, owner of Fred Farms in Dunkirk, said one obstacle the farm is trying to overcome is the lack of employees. After an increase in unemployment funds last year, Fred said workers became scarce.

“We don’t have any workers left — they got scared and took the unemployment money,” he said. “Many of them didn’t come back. I had 11 workers and now I’m down to one.”

Likewise, Fred said he has been unable to qualify for funding from the government.

“Besides not having any workers, there is some help from the government, but I don’t qualify because I don’t work through the (Farm Service Agency),” he said. “That should be changed.”

Fred said he has been working in agriculture for 52 years and has owned his farm for 30 years. This year, he has 500 acres of grapes and 20 acres of seasonal produce. Fred brings his produce to five different farmers markets a week, including the markets in Silver Creek, Dunkirk, Forestville and Cassadaga.

Despite the downturn caused by COVID-19, Fred said he remains dedicated to his work.

“I love what I’m doing — I have no plans to retire,” he said.

Nancy Anderson of Andersons Produce in Jamestown said their second-generation farm and farm stand wasn’t as impacted by the pandemic as others. The stand is open in the summer and fall in a single, outdoor location.

“I think that more people were looking to buy locally-sourced food, especially last summer,” Anderson said. “Also, more people were eating at home. Our business did well because we could provide that.”

She said customers do not seem to worry as much about the virus as the location is outside, which is helpful. However, the weather does impact whether they are open or not.

Currently, Anderson said the masking debate hasn’t reached the stand. She said some customers wear masks while others don’t.

The farm and farm stand have been in the Anderson family since the 1940s, and the current Anderson family has owned it since the 1990s.

According to Cornell Cooperative Extension, Chautauqua County’s agricultural industries account for 35% of the county’s total acreage. For every dollar agricultural industries create, $2.29 is generated in the community. The county also ranks No. 1 across the state for number of farms.

Fred Farm is located at 10655 Temple Road in Dunkirk. For more information, visit them on Facebook or call 410-3817. Haff Acres Farms is located at 5065 West Lake Road in Mayville. Visit the farm’s Facebook page, or call 753-2467 for more information. Andersons Produce is located at 1410 Peck Settlement Road in Jamestown and can be reached by phone at 664-9001. For more information, visit them on Facebook or Instagram.