Farmers vs. Mother Nature

WILLARD — The Ohio weather has been inconsistent as ever making farmers' lives harder than usual in trying to have a successful year growing crops. Troy Mills Farm, located in Willard, lost this year's strawberry season due to late frost in May. "In mid-May we had an unexpected heavy frost that effectively destroyed our early and mid-season strawberry crop. We originally thought there was a chance we may still have later season berries available," a spokesman for Troy Mills Family Farm said. "It was not enough to accommodate the large crowds we get every year, which would have made the experience for our customer non-ideal." Troy Mills Family Farm refers to this year as a "fluke." Since they started in 1982, there has only been a couple years strawberries and other crops were unable to be grown due to frost. When dealing with adversity due to weather, Troy Mills Family Farm thinks of the customer over everything. "If we have a frost or drought that is preventing a successful harvest, we think about those customers who have put their trust in us over the years for a great experience and what a bad experience would do for subsequent years to come," the spokesman said. "Every year is different, the weather is one thing you can't control while farming." Troy Mills Family Farm plans on bringing back strawberries in the 2024 season and has already started preparing. Another passionate farmer that has dealt with adversity from the weather is Douglas Reer, from Plymouth. Reer, who graduated from Plymouth High School in 2018, said with the weather "every year is different." "Now that we have received the much-needed rain, the season is going great," Reer said. "We were able to get the crops out in good time with minimal issues during planting season. We were happy to have the corn side dressed before the rain so that the corn could grab that nitrogen and grow quickly and strongly. After the rain the crops have grown tremendously and are looking very healthy." Reer said to farm, you must put a lot of faith in God. "Generally, we proceed on as normal and pray for some rain. This spring definitely had us saying some extra prayers. Per usual, the lord did provide for us," Reer said. Reer looks to successfully keep growing corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay as the weather is starting to cooperate. Will it continue? Who knows what Mother Nature has in store for the rest of the summer. That, according to Reer, is where prayer comes in.