Eastern Ala. Farmers Feeling Brunt Of Heavy Rain

Eastern Alabama farmers say they're feeling the lingering effects of an unusually wet summer. Joseph Collier farms peas, okra, cucumbers, squash and tomatoes in Mountainboro and works 10 months of the years as a school janitor to qualify for health insurance and other benefits. Collier told the Gadsden Times he lost most of his crops this year because of heavy rain and missed the corn-planting season altogether because of wet soil. Collier trades some produce with neighboring farmer William Young who was able to grow corn. Young says the ears will begin swelling if the rain continues. Aside from planting and harvesting difficulties, Alabama Cooperative Extension System horticulturalist Dani Carroll says rain typically causes more insects and other pests, and washes away protective sprays before they can be effective.