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'Worst crop in years': Farmers morose as summer rainfall affects crops in Mukwonago

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Heartache already for some farmers as the summer rainfalls keep stacking up. It has some desperate for sunny days.

“I lost a lot of crops and I threw a lot of money at it,” said Brian Krokowski.

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Brian Krokowski shows how his tomato plants are dying.

The Mukwonago vegetable farmer says this is one of his most challenging years as a farmer.

“This is the worst tomato crop I have had in 37 years,” said Brian Krokowski.

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Brian Krokowski looks over his barely producing tomato plants.

Tomatoes and sweet corn are his biggest money makers. Brian’s wife happens to be an expert at crops and plants. Kristin Krokowski works for the University of Wisconsin Madison Extension. She knows the problem but can’t offer a fix.

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Kristin Krokowski examines the plants.

“The issue is we have had too much rain in too short of a time,” said Kristin Krokowski. “The weeds are providing so much competition that they are shading out the plants and they can’t compete.”

Watch: Summer heat and rainfall affecting crops in Mukwonago

'Worst crop in years': Scorching summer heat affecting crops in Mukwonago

On top of that, all of the rain and the heat have fungi and bacteria running rampant over the plants.

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Keith Schmidt owns The Elegant Farmer, shows off the big apple crop this year.

But head to the other side of Mukwonago and it is a different story.

“This year is probably the best in history,” said Keith Schmidt, owner of the Elegant Farmer.

Keith Schmidt who owns The Elegant Farmer says the rain will probably mean extra big and delicious apples.

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Keith Schmidt who owns The Elegant Farmer looks at the apple trees.

“We have another month to go. So you can imagine this apple will come out to maybe about this,” said Keith.

Brian admits he has some great crops too like his onions. But mainly he is left with wet grounds and no way to get tractors in.

“You see all the stuff that needs to be done and you can’t do nothing,” said Brian.

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The Krokowski farm fields.

The Krokowskis say the season isn’t a total loss. They just hope the rest of the season isn’t as wet.


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