Millions in potatoes lost

[Jason]

Millions in potatoes lost

Storms ruin about 70 percent of crop

By ANTHONY DeMATTEO   |   More by this reporter  |  Special to the Record   |   Posted: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 ; Updated: 5:53 AM on Wednesday, May 27, 2009

On his 600-acre farm in Hastings, Danny Johns is busy trying to rescue a potato crop he expected to harvest in June.

Johns, who owns Blue Sky Farms, and other area farmers are salvaging what they can from crops soaked by more than a week of heavy rain.

"This is unprecedented for this time of the year," Johns said. "We still had most of our crop in the ground."

U.S. Rep. John Mica, who represents St. Johns County, visited Blue Sky on Tuesday to inspect damage to potatoes grown on the farm.

Johns told Mica that despite employees working overtime to salvage the harvest, about 70 percent of the crop is lost.

Continued: http://www.staugustine.com/stories/052709/news_052709_013.shtml