HILLSVILLE (WSLS 10) - The demand for everything pumpkin is starting to pick up across the country, but the weather is putting a damper on the fall commodity.
Farmers in Carroll County said extreme heat caused much of their pumpkin crop to wither. Weeks of rain earlier this summer also hurt their ability to spray the plants. This allowed disease to fester.
Carroll County has about 4,000 acres of pumpkin farm land. Many of the farmers there are only expecting to sell two-thirds of their crop this year.
"It's going to affect us," said farmer Travis Marshall. "Anytime you cut your payday by a third, you're going to feel the effects of it."
Farmers said they do not expect consumers to pay more for their pumpkins this year, but the shortage could affect prices in the coming years.