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August 30, 2011

Irene damages apple, corn crops

By The Mainebiz News Staff

Tropical Storm Irene is being blamed for damage to apples, corn and other crops in western Maine.

The storm's high winds toppled apple trees and brought fruit to the ground, area orchard owners told the Sun Journal. Peter Ricker, whose family runs Wallingford's in Auburn and Ricker Hill in Buckfield, said "a significant portion" of the orchards' crops were lost, and Wallingford orchard manager Jones Nicholos pegged the total lost as one-third. Harry Ricker of Ricker Hill estimated about 10%-15% of the apples are on the ground, and many trees were toppled. Bell Farms in Auburn reported that winds blew over its fields of sweet corn, and the owners were still debating whether it could be harvested.

Meanwhile, Herbert York of Sandy River Farm in Farmington said waters flooded his soybean and winter squash crops, and wind knocked over his corn. A nearby farm in West Farmington saw its pumpkin and corn fields submerged, according to the paper. State officials are still assessing damage and federal disaster assistance could be made available, according to The Associated Press.

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