Florida’s only cigar tobacco farm in Clermont could be wiped out by Tuesday night’s frost

[JohnS]

Florida’s only cigar tobacco farm in Clermont could be wiped out by Tuesday night’s frost

Story by Valerie Boey

 

A cigar tobacco grower in Lake County is concerned about tonight’s frost, saying it could wipe out his crop.

Jeff Borysiewicz is worried Mother Nature will destroy his entire cigar tobacco crop. “If we get a frost tonight, we will lose all our tobacco.”

To make matters worse, he says crows killed most of his crop last spring, so they just replanted half of the plants.

“We had thousands and thousands of crows that literally pulled the seedling out of the ground.”

Jeff created the farm to help boost the cigar industry locally and create jobs. “It’s kind of like a micro distillery, but a micro cigar tobacco farm just to keep it going for the tradition.”

The leaves grown here are rolled into cigars and later sold at local stores owned by Corona Cigar Company.

But now there may not be any local cigars to sell, because there’s no way to protect these leaves. Jeff says insurance coverage isn’t available for something like this.

“There’s no insurance on this business; this is the only cigar tobacco farm in Florida.”

He employs 165 workers at his stores and on the farm. Farmworker Jenn Patterson bundled up to work in the tobacco field today. “Layer, the wind up here cuts through your clothes. Short sleeve, long sleeve, hoodie, jacket on top.”

She’s also worried about the cold weather. “It would be devastating because we put a lot of work into this field.”

But now all that hard work may get the cold shoulder. There’s no way to protect the plants. “I’m pretty confident we’re gonna get a bad frost tonight, but if we lose it we’ll start again.”

Source: https://www.wftv.com/mobile-apps

[Gemini_Man]

That would be a damn shame. Florida sun grown tobacco has a very light sweetness and creamy texture. Drew Estate's 20 Acre farm blend is an example. Super mild and decent for an early in the day smoke.

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

There was another smoke with an FSG wrapper but they don’t make it any more. JC Newman’s “The American” features FSG as well. Good smokes and I love the idea.

[MrBirdman]

Tough breaks - very early in the year for a hard frost in Florida. Hopefully things turn out for the best.

[Coloniales]

Yeah I got to Orlando late Monday, was colder (much colder) than England. Tuesday, I swear I saw Icebergs on the pool. I had their cigars a few times, not bad. 

[Dr vonPuffenberg]

Has anyone heard an update on this situation?

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, Dr vonPuffenberg said:

Has anyone heard an update on this situation?

"A Lake County tobacco grower is relieved after his crop escaped major damage from Tuesday night and Wednesday morning’s frost.

Jeff Borysiewicz‘s farm is the only cigar tobacco farm in Florida and is located in Clermont. He says the frost caused some damage to a few leaves, but overall they were lucky.

“I’ve never had one happen this early. I’ve never seen it. I’ve been doing this for about 12 years,” Borysiewicz said."

[Coloniales]

I was in Clermont a few days back, lots of rolling hills, unusual for Florida. Smoked FSG cigars as well. They OK.