South Shore: Irene’s impact to South Shore crops appears minimal

The worst damage from Tropical Storm Irene here in Massachusetts wasn’t necessarily along the beaches of the state, but instead further inland–where farmers have seen crops slashed by wind, and scalded by salt water spray.

Department of Agricultural Resources Assistant Commissioner Nathan L’Etoile says here on the South Shore and on Cape Cod cranberry farmers were impacted, but  they took measures to alleviate the potential crop loss.

L’Etoile said he has no reports of crop loss on the South Shore yet, but says the state will keep an eye on the damage and see if any assistance can be made available for farmers. State officials say here on the South Shore they also received a few reports of corn crop slashed by wind, but say the impact was minimal.

One of the major concerns was the apple crop, but L’Etoile says that seems to be unscathed– good news for farmers and residents preparing for the apple picking season.

Federal and state agricultural officials say it could be weeks before the damage to crops is tallied.