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New Jersey Farmers Do Best To Cope With Heavy Rain

By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) - We may be in the grips of another heat wave around here, but recent heavy rains in the region have proven to be troublesome to several South Jersey farmers.

Last month was the third wettest June ever in New Jersey and, while much of the state has a sandy type soil that drains quickly, a lot of farms in this area have denser, heavier dirt.

Why should you care?

Well it's hard to plant or harvest in a flooded field and some minor disease problems have been reported.

Lynne Richmond, with the state Agriculture Department, says farmers are doing their best to cope.

"The county Agriculture extension agents throughout South Jersey are saying that vine crops are most impacted, but they were saying that farmers were staking the tomatoes and staking eggplant to get it up off the ground," she explains.

Many summer fruits and veggies are readily available, but that could change as this month plays out.

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