Farms in
Trumbull County:
ö 26,700
acres of soy beans in 2013
ö 22,000
acres of corn in 2013
ö 9,670
acres of hay in 2013
ö 2,800
acres of wheat in 2013
ö 888
farmers, in 2012
ö 128
acres, average farm size in 2012
ö 113,896
acres, total land in farms in 2012
ö
$150,000 spent on local fruit and berries in 2012
ö
$500,000 spent on local vegetables in 2012
ö
$47,859,000 gross receipts of agricultural produce in 2012
Source:
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Tribune
Chronicle
By RENEE
FOX
Because of
the cold and wet start to the year, local farmers are looking to
April with hopes of the warmer weather that might save the growing
season and prevent a reduction of planted acreage in the county.
âConditions
in April need to improve significantly, or we will have a shortened
planting season, which means less crops,ã agriculture educator David
Marrison from The Ohio State University Ashtabula Extension Office
said. âLast winter was the worst in a century. We are going into
spring with plenty of ground moisture, but we need to start seeing
some warmer temperatures.ã
Soil
temperatures are still rather cool, Marrison said, and the ground
needs to dry a bit more before planting can really take off. As long
as the April skies open up with some sunrays, the amount of cropland
that will go unplanted should stay under 10 percent of the total farm
acreage in Trumbull County.
There are
roughly 2,300 acres of oats planted in the county each year, one of
the crops that depends on a early, warm spring for high yeild
production, Marrison said. Oats in the county are typically used for
cattle and horse feed, and prices of the crop are usually set
nationally. Farmers stand to lose a percentage of profts, if they are
unable to sow 10 percent of what they could have with warmer
tempertures and less moisture in the soil.
âWe just
know that, going into this year, it is going to be a struggle,ã
Marrison said. âWe know it is going to be a late start to the
season, we can hope for a late fall to offset the temperature
disparity.ã
Marrison
forecasted that 10 percent of acres traditionally planted with corn
will this year be planted with soy beans, more than just a trend, soy
beans are easierä and cheaperä to care for in less than ideal
growing conditions.
Although
grass crops do well in wetter soil conditions, many farmers in
Trumbull County have moved away from the labor intensive planting and
gathering of hay in exchange for soy production, Marrison said.
Berry
farmers in the area will be especially dependent on April
temperatures. Ray Matwich of Matwichás Berry Farm said when he looks
out at a strawberry field in May, the April weather will determine if
he sees a sea of little white flowers or just green, forecasting the
amount of strawberries children and tourists will be able to pick in
the Leavittsburg fields. The weather conditions could push back the
typical Memorial Day weekend opening of the berry farm, 6648 Kale
Adams Road, by a few weeks, if it hasnát been warm enough for the
berries to ripen.
But the
local farmers markets in Warren and Howland are ready to get started
on summer selling, regardless of oat, wheat or soy production.Many
booths will be filled with produce from the surrounding counties, as
well as smaller growers that might not report to the stateás
department of agriculture.
Howlandás
market partnered with the Lake to River Food Cooperative, in order to
expand selection during the winter months. Shoppers can place co-op
orders online at localfoodmarketpalce.com/laketoriver. The
partnership has helped with the success of the winter market, most
farmers markets are not open in the colder months.
âWe
attribute the success of the winter market on the simple fact that
market customers want to stay connected with their local food growers
and producers all year long, not just during the summer months, said
Kim Mascarella, the townshipás zoning director. âThis collaboration
expands the local food offerings to market customers while providing
local food businesses with new customers.ã
The
Howland Farmers Market winter season will continue to be held on the
third Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. until the
beginning of the summer market season, which begins Saturday, June
20. Summer hours will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The market is always held
at the Richard E. Orwig Park in Howland Township.
A recent
addition popping up in farmers markets, not only across the county,
but right here in the county, is the acceptance of government food
benefits. Howland and the Warren market accept SNAP.
This year,
Warren is trying out a program that doubles the value of food stamps,
making it even easier for people of all incomes to feed themselves
and their families in a healthy and locally minded way, Sheila Calko,
director of the GROW program in Warren said.
Also,
Calko announced the Warren market, âwill be conducting a study of
the market over the next two years to measure the social and economic
impact of the market on the Warren community, especially focusing on
the downtown area and closest adjacent neighborhood(s).ã
rfox@tribtoday.com
