Farmers Say Fruit, Vegetables Fare Well In Drought

MARDELA SPRINGS, Md. (AP) -- Farmers say locally grown fruits and vegetables have been a bright spot in a dim year for agriculture on the Delmarva peninsula.

Chris Cadwallader of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Delaware field office tells The Daily Times that produce stands saw an above-average season this summer, while corn stalks withered in the drought. He says farmers' reports for crop tallies were mostly positive across the region.

But it was a different story for corn. According to USDA data, the dry summer left 70 percent of Delaware's corn crop in fair condition or worse. About 42 percent of Maryland's corn was in the same condition.

One big difference between corn and other crops is irrigation. Only a small percentage of corn is covered by irrigation.

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