By Andi Anderson
Heavy rainfall and severe storms last week have caused significant flooding in Morgan County, Indiana, leading to delays in the crop planting season.
Martinsville, a central Indiana town, received 8 inches of rain between March 30 and April 6, the highest amount in the region. The White River, which flows through the town, entered moderate flood stage over the weekend and is expected to remain in the minor flood zone through Thursday night.
The flooding has impacted nearby cornfields and farmland, particularly those located near the White River. Due to Morgan County's terrain, many farms are located in low-lying areas and floodplains. Farmers prefer to use these areas for planting since building is usually not allowed there.
“Most of the time, you can't build in the floodplains. What can you do? You can farm,” said Michele Jones of the Purdue Extension Morgan County office.
Many farmers had already begun pre-planting work like applying fertilizer and other treatments. However, the recent floods have washed out these efforts.
“All of that work must be re-done if a field is flooded,” Jones said. “Once the fields dry out, you can't necessarily hop out and just start planting. You're going to have to assess your fields for sticks, logs, trashcans—whatever may have been deposited.”
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Morgan County has 130,000 acres of farmland. The local agricultural economy generates around $47 million in profit each year.
With this season’s delay, farmers are now waiting for the water to recede and fields to dry before they can resume work.
The recent weather challenges have added stress to an already critical time for planting. As cleanup continues, the agricultural community remains hopeful for clearer skies and improved field conditions in the coming days.
Photo Credit: getty-images-elhenyo
Categories: Indiana, Rural Lifestyle