Across the Grand Valley, peach harvest is underway and orchard owners are counting on this year's crop. 

August is National Peach Month and you won't hear many argue that point in the Grand Valley.  Things are getting really busy at peach orchards across the valley as workers rush to harvest the crop. 

This year has held a special challenge. 

"This year is a little unique in that because we were so hot, so early, we're running about two weeks ahead," said Bruce Talbot of Talbot's Mountain Gold.

The  harvest requires a lot of work and it has to be done carefully and quickly.  The peaches only last so long on the trees.  If a peach falls from the tree or gets knocked to the ground, it cannot be sold due to food safety reasons.  That's why workers must be fast. 

And unlike other fruits like apples, for example, peaches are usually sold fresh. 

"We tend to be, from tree to market within twenty four to forty eight hours," Talbot said. 

The harvesters work long, hot days, seven days a week while each variety of peach ripens. 

"We need about forty or fifty people in the field and we another forty or fifty in the shed to get the job done."

For those in the peach business, this time of year is what it's all about.  The hard work and long hours pays dividends and keeps those fresh peaches on our tables. 

"About eighty to ninety percent of our income is generated in a six week period. So, the six weeks of harvest, it has to all work together. It's very intense, it's very focused."

Talbot also tells us that Labor Day is typically the heart of the Elberta Peach market, which is considered a "late peach."  But this year, he says only the "very late peaches" will be left at labor day.