Trumbull Farm forecast

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