We have all grown accustomed to seeing our farmers prepping and working in their fields. The site of large acres of golden wheat flowing to and fro with the wind is always a beautiful site, especially so when the sun hits it just right.

For me, standing dried corn stalks bring back childhood memories of when I would dash into them to escape a chasing friend in a game of tag or hide and seek. However, I must confess these sites that I have taken for granted don't come easy. There are men, women, and families making all this happen.

Every year they battle the soil, the weather, and the economy. In 2009, all three hit our local farmers hard! Here is short recap of their affects on agriculture in Grayson County.

Trouble began in early April when we received a hard frost, dropping temperatures in some places to the mid 20s. It happened to be that much of the county's wheat was in that important pollinating stage where it is susceptible to freezes. So for many producers, gone was the wheat crop, and for others, yields dropped drastically.

Wheat is Grayson County's largest grain crop, and 33,490 acres were negatively impacted. Average bushels per acre dropped to 20 to 30 where it normally would have been around 50 to 60 on a good year. The same frost destroyed the county's blueberry crop. The flowers fell from the plants, causing production to be in the one- to two-percent range.

Then May arrived and all were thinking things would get better, but the truth of the matter was the troubles continued. Instead of freeze it would be rain. The area received approximately 18 inches of rain during the month. This rain impacted Grayson County's second largest agriculture crop, corn.

In 2009, 20,944 acres of corn were planted. Corn not planted on the slopes were in standing water way too long, essentially stressing the plants and reducing growth. Stalks that should have grown to seven feet in many cases only reached heights of two to four feet, which drastically reduced yields. Average bushels per acre were approximately 65, down from 100 on a good year.

Our major agriculture crops weren't the only crops affected. Cotton was once king in Grayson but like all things, change occurs. In 2009, 397 acres of cotton were planted. Yields were above average somewhere in the 600 pounds per acre range. However, the return of the heavy rains in Late November and early December hurt fiber quality.

When the bolls open, a lot of rain will lower the lint quality and bring the farmers a lower price. It appears that most cotton producers will only receive 40 cents per pound.

Peanuts farmers also took a loss due to weather. This year 425 acres were planted. Rain and cool summer temperatures significantly lowered peanut yield and quality. Farmers on average only produced one-third of a ton per acre. Last year they produced three-quarters of a ton per acre.

Those growing blackberries experienced strange results on what is usually a dependable crop. The fruit produced but grew small and in many cases never ripened. TX AgriLife blamed this on excess rain, early cool summer temperatures, and then a quick mid summer hot spell.

Then we all have heard about the Dorchester Grain incident. When a local grain elevator goes insolvent/defunct, it has a huge impact on the farmers who depend on that facility for storage, marketing, and selling. At this time, the exact monetary loss to producers is unknown but it impacts approximately 143 depositors from Grayson and other counties. Presently, their grain cannot be delivered, sold, or removed until it is all sorted out. Many are expecting pennies on the dollar for this year's crop.

If all these weren't enough, 2010 production has already been impacted. You see, the abundant fall and early winter rains have kept many farmers from planting next year's wheat crop. The soils, especially in the blacklands, were too wet to put machinery in. It is probably safe to say that approximately 40 to 50 percent of the wheat could not be planted.

So why do I write this article? To encourage farmers to hang on! To help each other!

I'm asking other agribusinesses to do what they can to lesson the farmers' burdens. I'm asking lending agencies and insurance agencies to be creative, flexible, and understanding when it comes to meeting their needs. I'm also asking citizens to do their part. Just look and pray for opportunities to help.

A bunch of people giving a little does make a difference. Hopefully, just hopefully, all our producers will remain in the industry and they won't have to sell Grayson County's valuable agriculture land for other uses.

CHUCK JONES is the Agriculture and Natural Resource Extension Agent for Grayson County. His e-mail address is Grayson-tx@tamu.edu.