Ag Weekly: Seed mix-up heats things up for pepper growers

ANTWERP, New York (WWNY) - For months, Chicory Hill Farm owner Allen Funk nurtured and planted what he thought were bell pepper seeds.

But once they started producing, he was surprised to see hot varieties instead.

“We have cherry bombs, which are hot ones, we have Italian half hots, we have shishitos, and then we have bullhorns,” he said, “which are hot.”

It’s a nationwide mix-up, surprising farmers near and far.

“It had to be from the seed growers,” Funk said. “They evidently sent the wrong seeds to the seed distributers.”

Out of 50 pepper plants, only four ended up being the correct bell peppers.

“I’ve been farming over 50 years and this is the first time I remember something like this happening,” Funk said.

Funk sells his peppers at the local farmers markets and says there’s not many customers who want spicy goods.

“When you’re selling to senior citizens at the farmers market, they will not move, and we end up having to throw them away.”

There are two solutions to the pepper problem. Saving your own seeds to use next year or tempting customers to expand their pepper pallets.

“Try it and see what happens,” Funk said. “You might like it.”

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