Some Ohio farmers optimistic, despite growing season challenges [Video]

It’s been a difficult few months for farmers preparing for the growing season, but hopes are high for the early harvest.

The Valley saw an unseasonably warm winter, which poses concerns for crop disease risk and pests

“We’d like to have a really cold January, February, so it kinda freezes or kills all the diseases and pests in the fields,” Carl Angiuli of Angiuli’s Farm Market says.

The cold and wet start to April has also been unfavorable for farming. Though many early summer crops still appear to be dormant, farmers are keeping close watch on the integrity of the root systems of fruit-bearing plants. Brungard Farm’s Matt Brungard says real concern for these conditions could arise should low temperatures dip below 30 degrees at night.

“One night can …