(07/07/06) CHESTER ? Last week?s rain and flooding not only caused damage and forced evacuations, they also hurt the New Jersey farming community.

Farms throughout the Garden State, including ones away from the Delaware River, are feeling the rain-driven pinch on their bottom lines. Farmers say wet weather and soggy ground ultimately diminishes the quality of their crops. The damp dirt can cause disease and take away from the flavor of the fruits and vegetables.

Some farmers in New Jersey lost about 10 to 30 percent of the crops planted during the rains. They hope the worst of the wet weather is over for the summer.

Related information: Flooding sparks Corzine to declare limited state of emergency Floodwaters force thousands from their homes in New Jersey Floodwaters slowly recede along Delaware River in Trenton Trenton's Island section remains abandoned as flood cleanup underway Dejected flood victims return to damaged homes in Trenton