NEWS

Contrasting summer weather hits local farmers

Bradley W. Parks
Reporter

ZANESVILLE — This summer’s tumultuous weather has had varying effects on local farmers as they race to make the most of the growing season as it draws to a close.

Many farmers characterized the season as one of ups and downs, which has forced them to adjust their typical agricultural habits. Some adapted well, while others are falling far short of profit goals.

“It really hit me this year,” said Mark Barnhart, who farms in Otsego in the northeast corner of Muskingum County. Barnhart was selling some of his produce Wednesday at the downtown farmers market.

Barnhart expects to reach only half his targeted profit he set at the beginning of the year.

Early summer rains dampened the spirits of several local farmers. According to the National Weather Service, much of the county received between eight and 10 inches of rainfall in June.

A previous Times Recorder report highlighted the story of Bill Huston in Dresden. During the heaviest periods of rain, Huston lost 35 acres of vegetables, which translated to about 20 percent of his total output.

Barnhart estimates he lost about a half-acre of green beans at the beginning of the season. While he suffered no pooling or flooding, the ground was too wet for him to till.

He said his pepper plants did poorly as well. Barnhart had to wait close to five weeks to plant corn because of how wet the ground was, which has forced a late harvest.

“I try to plant most things at least four times,” Barnhart said, but the heavy rainfall kept him from doing so this year.

However, July brought about half as much rain as June. August brought less than 1.5 inches of rainfall to the Zanesville area, but rain has been spotty around the county, according to the weather service. Low rainfall totals turned the tables on many local farmers to keep up with watering in the latter half of the summer.

Philo farmer Fred Roush said he received less than 0.2 of an inch of rain in August.

“It’s been a rough year,” Roush said. “Home gardeners shouldn’t feel bad (with low output). It’s not like they did anything wrong.”

The shifting weather has not been earth-shattering for Roush. A longtime farmer, he said difficult years are bound to happen, so he has learned to push through them.

He still expects to have enough produce to last to the end of the season and meet his goals.

“If it’s growing, I’ll pick it and I’ll sell it,” he said.

Roush has never irrigated his property before, but he plans to do so next year in the case of more dry months like this August.

As for Barnhart, after more than 30 years selling produce, he said he is unsure whether he will continue after this summer of ups and downs.

bparks2@gannett.com

740-450-6758

Twitter:@Bradley_W_Parks