Related: The Boston Globe's Blighted Insults
"Assistance sought for Bay State farmers; Rainy, cold summer hurt crops of many" by David Abel, Globe Staff | September 9, 2009
In Franklin County, tobacco farmers lost their entire crop. Corn growers in Norfolk County saw 83 percent of the value of their crop destroyed. In Essex County, strawberry growers could not bring more than 35 percent of their crop to market.
The summer’s steady rains and cool weather combined to ravage everything from tomatoes to potatoes on farms statewide.
You know, we STILL GOT SOME GOOD STUFF! I've seen and bought local tomatoes and corn that have looked pretty good. Yeah, some stuff was a washout but that's Ma Nature.
As a result, Governor Deval Patrick yesterday asked federal officials to declare most of Massachusetts a disaster zone for agricultural production losses, which are expected to amount to tens of millions of dollars....
I AGREE with the disaster, but not the reason cited!
And, fellow taxpayers, I don't want my state ripping you off. You know where you can get some dough, Bay-Staters!
In a letter seeking assistance from the US Department of Agriculture, Patrick noted that June was the second wettest June on record in Massachusetts. The damp conditions produced destructive pathogens, such as early blight and late blight, which hit crops at hundreds of farms across the state....
The assistance would guarantee the state’s farmers access to low-interest loans to cover all production, removal, and replanting costs associated with lost crops, up to $500,000.
It NEVER FAILS, does it?
Yup, LOANS!!!! That's the HELP you are getting!
And CUI BONO from LOANS, huh?
Federal officials yesterday had yet to approve the request, which sought assistance for Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Worcester counties. It could be weeks before a decision is made.
Oh, but BANKS and WARS get their $$$ right away, no questions asked!
Kent Politsch, a spokesman for the USDA’s Farm Service Agency, said it is likely the agency will designate much of Massachusetts a disaster area....
Well, it is.
Like I said, in more ways.....
Of course, it is NOT ALL BLIGHT (sigh).
"Soggy June led to bumper crop of apples" by Jack Nicas, Globe Correspondent | September 10, 2009
Many Massachusetts farmers watched their rain-soaked crops suffer this summer. But with fall just around the corner, juicy, oversized apples fill the trees.
As opposed to my tastes on cranberries, I love apples.
Gonna be sick of 'em by the time fall ends.
“They’re big, they’re ripe, and they’re clean,’’ said Pat Kriksceonaitis, the farm manager at Brooksby Farm in Peabody. “Some of the crops had a tough year, but it’s probably the best apple crop in many years.’’
The rain that ruined this summer’s crops fattened this fall’s apples, farmers said.
Kelly Joseph, general manager of Marshall Farm in Fitchburg, said: “Apples have done the best by far . . . They’re definitely bigger - bigger and juicier. And we have so many more.’’
“We’d be sunk without a good apple crop,’’ Kriksceonaitis said. “No money was made on the field crops this summer, so we’re hoping that the apples will pull us through in good shape.’’
On Tuesday, Governor Deval Patrick requested federal loans for state farmers after a disastrous summer. But the state’s 369 apple farms may not need the help, some growers said.
Nor a LOAN disguised as "help!!!!!!"
“If we can do well enough on the apple crop, we don’t think we’ll be applying for any federal assistance,’’ said Bill Hennessey, a farmer at Highland Farm in Holliston who also grows corn, squash, broccoli, and other vegetables....
Yeah, there hasn't been as much of that, but....
This year’s summer crops withered during the cloudy and soggy June. The month was the second gloomiest June since 1885 in the state, according to Blue Hill Observatory in Canton....
Global Cooling?
But the agreeable weather must continue for a real profitable fall, some farmers said....
I think they would take a profit, period, no matter what it is. As long as it ain't a loss.
--more--"
What is with the Globe, anyway?
Why they want to rain on our big apples, huh?
(I know you know why, readers.)
