Recently, local farmers have dealt with a drought. But this summer, farmers are finding the rain falling a little too quickly.
For farmers Boyce Crowe of Morganton and Ken Sain of Vale, the rain hasn't ruined their crops, but the same isn't true for their colleagues.
Both Crowe and Sain sell their produce at the Valdese and Morganton farmers markets. On Wednesday, both men were set up under a tent in Valdese as the rain fell.
Sain offered cucumbers, green beans, onions, squash and potatoes. He didn't seem optimistic about his current crop of tomatoes, which are diseased from the rainfall.
Sain, whose crop is planted on a hillside, said the rain is helpful, but too much rain can lead to diseases in plants.
Although dry weather is also scary for farmers, it can be controlled with an irrigation system, Sain said.
Crowe said in the past few years, he's had to lay out hay to maintain moisture with his crops. This year, the constant rain is taking care of that.
Crowe said his plots are on a hillside, which has saved them from flooding.
But if the rain continues to fall like it has so far, there may be a negative impact on his crop, Crowe said.
Both Sain and Crowe had anecdotal stories of fellow farmers who have lost their crops due to flooding and disease this summer.
Burke County Cooperative Extension Consumer Horticulture Agent Donna Teasley said, "(Farmers) are thrilled at having the rain, but it's really hard."
Teasley said crops are more prone to diseases in wet weather because the rain can wash away fertilizers and pesticides. Thus, many farmers are struggling due to the chemical costs.
Most diseases that affect plants are already present, Teasley said. But the right weather conditions will cause them to manifest.
Teasley described early blight, a disease that is in the soil and can affect crops when the soil gets onto leaves.
During downpours, the rain can splatter soil onto leaves, Teasley explained. Foliage that remains wet during the evening is also prone to diseases.
"Good farmers get out there and do their spraying," Teasley said. "It's just a constant battle."
Teasley said although there may be fewer fruits and vegetables available this summer, there isn't a cause for alarm.
Crowe, who is president of the Morganton and Valdese farmers markets, said the farmer turnout this summer at both markets has been steady.
So far there has been plenty of produce for the crowds, Crowe said.
The Valdese Farmers Market is located on Faet Street across from the Valdese Town Hall. It is open Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to Noon and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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