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THE EARLY

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Sunday, June 30, 2019 • $1

Knee high by the Fourth unlikely Area farmers meet with Ohio ag director to share concerns

NEW WESTON — Will corn be knee-high by the Fourth of July (or preferably as high as an elephant’s eye) was a question, among many others, on the minds of area farmers gathered to share their concerns with Dorothy Pelanda, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture at Buschur Dairy Farms on Friday. Pelanda was collecting information and stories related to the challenges farmers are facing due to the onslaught of rain. To date, Darke County has already received a year’s

average in precipitation and the challenges it’s wrought — a widespread ripple effect from an inability to get into fields to a livestock feed crisis. While many farmers shared they’ve been through difficult times before — 1981 came into conversation several times — nothing has proven as challenging as this year. One statement standing out above all others, “We’ve never seen anything like it.” However, help may soon be on the horizon. According to Pelanda, Governor Mike DeWine is seeking federal disaster aid from U.S. Department

Business people speak out on project Garst Museum is also in the path of construction work in that area. When a call was made to the facility this week, the one who GREENVILLE — Business people and others who answered indicated the construction made it difficult have investments in the area of North Broadway in people to get there. “About all of our phone Greenville are understandcalls are asking us how they ing of the inconvenience being caused by the current can get here,” she said. “We construction project that is direct them into the city park. Plus, there is conunderway. struction on Martin Street “There have been a few frustrations,” said Eric Fee, and on State Route 121 close to the fairgrounds.” owner of Tribute Funeral “It hasn’t been a big home. “Brumbaugh’s have deal,” remarked Gary Oser, been great to work with pastor of Greenville Misand have been very coopsionary Church when asked erative with every funeral. how the work has affected The foreman has been his church. coming and informing us “It was somewhat of an when they changed sites so inconvenience at the time, we can switch our signs. The only frustrations were but it has not affected attendance,” Oser said. the contractors from out “We did cancel a Wednesof town making the staff day night service so they and families feel like they are a major inconvenience. could put in concrete approaches to the entrance But over all, it’s been fine. and exit of the church. By Kudos to Brumbaugh and and large, they have been their staff…very profesvery cooperative and have sional. We had a cookout tried to work with us. It’s for them yesterday.” going better than expected. Fee also noted that the It’s shifted away from us dentist behind the funeral right now. It’s all a part of home had some concerns. “They all struggled with progress.” Josh Derksen of Derksen the older people getting to Automotive said the project appointments and cancelhas affected his business a ing,” Fee said. “Also, the people across the road had little. to park in our driveway for See BUSINESS | 4A about a week.”

of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. The process is two-fold with an initial letter sent to the Ag Secretary in mid-June for disaster aid and a second letter under draft on specific relief obtained by conversations with area farmers. Young farmers, those with less than five years in the field, were of particular concern given they are at the greatest risk. “A year like this can be devastating for them,” said Ken Thompson, a veteran farmer of Van Buren Township, citing the amount of debt young farmers may carry, along with the fact less youth were involved in agricultural. “We need

Bethany J. Royer-DeLong | Darke County Media County farmers met with Dorothy Pelanda, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture at Buschur Dairy Farms on Friday to discuss the crisis surrounding above average rainfall in the county. The rain has caused late planting and even some fields going unplanted, leaving questions on what the season will bring. This cornfield in southern Darke County will more than likely not be knee-high (or preferably as high as an elephant’s eye) by July 4.

some way [to] encourage them; help them get through times like this.” Some farmers cited the effect has yet to be felt, with the unknowns turning them from good business people to gamblers as it’s

not clear what may transpire in the field. Some face not only late planting but entirely unplanted fields leaving the pending financial effect uncertain. An effect that will be felt on down the line from

unused seed to produce prices. Yet, for all the unknowns, many shared stories of patience, perseverance, hope, and even gratitude for a close-knit farming community. Pelanda assured those in attendance they were the squeaky wheel, keeping daily conversations with federal partners so that, “They understand that this situation is a crisis on many levels.” For now, it is a waiting game, with Pelanda stating it was one thing to read data, quite another to come out and have farmers openly share concerns. Reach reporter Bethany J. RoyerDeLong at 937/548-3330 or email broyer-delong@aimmediamidwest. com. Read more news, features, and sports at DarkeCountyMedia.com.

MDA bicyclist makes stop in Greenville his destination on time. He said the weather has been cooperating on this ride thus far. “At sunrise this mornGREENVILLE— ing, I stopped and took Michael McCracken of a couple of pictures,” he Hamilton stopped off the said. Greenville Fire DepartHe was planning on ment in his venture “A stopping by the Van Wert Reason to Ride” for the Muscular Dystrophy Asso- firehouse on Friday and reported that once in ciation (MDA). Adrian, the firemen there Behind schedule by will put him up for a weekabout four hours, he took a breather and ate himself end. He is figuring he will return to Hamilton on a doughnut before he sat Tuesday. down to lunch with some McCracken said he of the firefighters. became interested in the He was planning on MDA after having grown heading toward Celina up as a child watching the as soon as his legs “unJerry Lewis Labor Day cramped.” Telethons. While planning the “I would always ask my itinerary for this journey parents to donate somehe started June 27, he thing at some time during rented a spot at Cozy the broadcast,” he said. Campground near Mont“I don’t remember if they ezuma in Mercer County where he planned to spend ever did, but it made me feel good to think I did Thursday night. something to help.” This event is his first extended ride. His destinaAs time passed, tion in Adrian, Mich. Alto- McCracken retained the gether, he will be traveling interest in MDA and helpbetween 450- to 500 miles, ing children. depending on which one “One year, I organized of his maps he finds to be a bike race from my framore accurate. ternity chapter at Adrian Before coming to Darke College to our chapter at County, he biked through the University of Toledo in Butler, Warren and Preble Ohio,” he recalled. “It was counties. He blamed his a 35-mile race and all the lateness Thursday on the entry fees went to MDA. potholes in Preble County. When I moved to Detroit Even though there was I was involved in a couple a delay in his arrival here, bike-a-thons for MDA, one he thinks he will make it to of which was 100 miles

Linda Moody|DarkeCountyMedia.com

Michael McCracken is shown with the bicycle that brought him to Greenville from Hamilton for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In the background the American flag flies from the aerial ladder the Greenville Fire Department set up to welcome him. McCracken’s destination is Adrian, Mich., and after his stay there, he will be heading back to Hamilton via bike.

around Belle Isle.” Even when he served in the Marines, mostly as a payroll officer, he did a few more bike-a-thons when he was able and could find an event that fit into his schedule. “And I’ve continued to do this after leaving the Marines as a major,” said the 67-year-old. “Even though I was enjoying riding, I also knew I was raising money for the kids… the kids that who can’t get out and do what other people can, like walk, run or jump…the kids who seldom get to experience the

outdoors because of breathing problems or their weakened muscles not being able to support their spine. I ride to support them.” He said on former bikea-thons he would collect money for MDA, but noted that now all donations are done electronically over the Internet. After he is done in Adrian, he is planning to ride his bike back home. Contact Staff Writer Linda Moody at lmoody@aimmediamidwest.com or at (937)569-4315 ext. 1749. Read more news, features and sports at DarkeCountyMedia.com.


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