Commission members report poor second hay cut, bean losses from jumping worms; herbs fared well

Templeton — Commissioners and local farmers reported on crop and harvest conditions at the Templeton Agricultural Commission’s Oct. 6 informational meeting.

"The second cut has been just non existent," Commission member Andre Chartier said, describing limited rain and poor second harvests. Chartier added that the first cut had been "pretty good" once spring rains ended and that corn "did pretty well."

Chair Carrie Novak reported pest damage and crop losses in some plantings. "I do have, the Asian jumping worms, if you've heard about that. And, some crops seem to do better when they're in existence because they make the soil very friable... But Oh. For beans, they they eat the young roots and, my bean crop, I think, probably 80 to 90% failed," Novak said.

Novak and Chartier also discussed irrigation’s role: where water sources were available, tomatoes and herbs performed better. Novak said her herbs "did wonderful" and that she had multiple hoses to keep plantings watered, noting cilantro and garlic produced well.

The commission discussed these conditions as information only; no regulatory or funding actions were taken at the informational meeting.