Severe Weather

Jay Chism, Extension agronomist, and I visited 6 market farm families who live south of I-44 yesterday. On the way we saw some terrible devastation in Newtonia and along Iris Road.

Of all our farmers, Helen and Ton Cha were the worst affected. The hail destroyed their broccoli and chinese cabbage crops which were nearly ready for sale. Ton also lost a section of one of his turkey houses and his greenhouse had to be repaired. The Cha's live just east of Fairview.

Hector Troyer who lives north of Fairview was less than 1/2 a mile from the path of the tornado. He, Lois and their new baby boy Lance took shelter at Lois' parents. Hector lost much of his lettuce crop and broccoli to hail but he had already put his farm back in shape by the time I got there (and taken time to help tarp a neighbor's house). He had planned to be at the market this week but now will be delayed two or three weeks.

The severe weather seems to have missed most of our other farmers.