Farmers across Southern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee have been hit hard are struggling to save crops hit hard by heavy rains that have pounded the region for most of the summer.
Some areas have seen nearly two feet of rain since June, all but drowning some vegetables. Tomato and tobacco crops were hit the hardest.
"It gets depressing when you can't produce what you know you're capable of producing because mother nature gets in the way," said Kim Roberts who farms nearly 400 acres of land with her husband in Franklin, Kentucky.
The Roberts have lost about half of their tomato crop because of the rain. Spoiled tomatoes bursting at the seems can be seen all across their rows of tomato plants, the result of too much rain in too short a time span.
"In my lifetime this is the worst tomato crop I've ever had, it's the worst I've ever seen," she added.
Corn throughout the area has faired better, but those in the farm industry are paying close attention to soy beans, consistent heavy rains continually wash away insecticides leaving the plan vulnerable to attack from plant killing pests.
"It's been a rough year for vegetable producers, it really has," said Jason Phillips, extension agent for Simpson County.
According to Phillips, some areas of Kentucky have lost thousands of acres of corn due to flooding.
"Prices for local produce is gonna go up because there's just not as much around, it's still available but in limited quantities," he said.
High humidity isn't helping either. The moist air helps weeds grow, and those weeds become perfect homes for crop killing insects.
