How lack of rain is taking a toll on Ohio farmers

PATASKALA, Ohio ( WCMH ) – As this summer’s drought continues, local farms are feeling the effects.

The team at Lynd Fruit Farm in Pataskala is getting ready for its busiest season. The weather leading up to it usually presents some sort of challenge — this year it’s been the very little rain the area has gotten.

“They’re struggling,” Brian Lynd, co-owner of Lynd Fruit Farm, said as he looked over the pick-your-own pumpkin patch. “This has been the driest summer that I can remember.”

He pointed out dried or wilted leaves caused by the lack of rain. Struggling leaves affect the pumpkins, according to Lynd.

“They need that protection from the leaves and they’re not getting as much of it this year, so we’re just seeing a little bit smaller fruit size in the pumpkin field,” Lynd said. “They’ll still be plenty of pumpkins for pick your own, they just won’t be quite as big and plentiful as they were last year.”

The corn is on another part of the property. Lynd said due to dry conditions, there’s been noticeably less corn this year and the ears overall have been smaller.

“We’re coming in to the fall now and it’s still, still getting really hot days and not a lot of rain in the forecast, we just watch the clouds come in as they come on the rainy days and hope one of them hits us,” Lynd said.

The State Fire Marshal has also taken action because of the drought. A ban on open burning is in place in about two dozen Ohio counties.

“In our 124 year history, this is the first time we’ve ever taken action like this,” State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said.

Under the ban, outdoor activities like campfires, bonfires, non-electric cooking and smoking are not allowed.

“Before they light that fire, before they light that cigarette, before they light whatever open flame they’re getting ready to light I’d ask them to take a look around, look around where they’re at,” Reardon said. “Look at the beauty of the scenery they’re looking at and realize how valuable it is and how precious a commodity it is and have some respect for it and just don’t light that open flame whatever the source may be.”

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