For the first time in years, farmers are a little optimistic about this growing season.
"It's a good spring so far," said Dade County farmer Roy Hartline. "I think everybody would agree with that."
North Georgia farmers say they've gotten the right amount of sun and rain when they've needed it and, if the area avoids any long dry spells this summer, they should be in for a rebound.
Most farmers had solid harvests in 2009, but 2008 was tough for many and one called 2007 a "tragic year."
"It's looking fairly good," said Stacy Gray, who grows soybeans and corn on about 900 acres in Walker and Chattooga counties. Based on his "barnyard science" and gut feeling, he expects a decent year.
The National Weather Service projects higher-than-normal temperatures over the next three months, but gives the state an equal chance for dry, normal or wet conditions. The weather service's Drought Outlook map does not anticipate dry conditions in Southeast Tennessee or North Georgia through July.
Walker County Extension Agent Norman Edwards said Northwest Georgia is particularly dependent on rain because, unlike other parts of the state, most farmland in the region is not irrigated.
"This winter, we got quite a bit of rainfall and I think that's helping," he said.
Ronnie Hunt who farms 1,100 acres in Gordon County, said fertilizer prices even look a little bit better this year than in 2009. Fertilizer, which usually rises and falls with oil prices, had soared to record highs in recent years.
At the very least, diesel fuel and fertilizer appear to have plateaued so farmers at least know to plan for the costs, Mr. Edwards said.
Carter Swancy, another Gordon County farmer, said the rain and a soggy field have made him a little late getting his corn, soybeans and vegetables in the soil, but he has few complaints. He said he's cautiously optimistic about his yield this year, as long as rain doesn't make itself scarce.
"I'd like to see a few showers come through," he said. "Hopefully, it's not going to go from one extreme to another and just quit raining altogether."
Whitfield County Extension Agent Brenda Jackson said the cold winter slowed some of the winter wheat crops. The average temperature for Chattanooga was below average for December, January, February and March, including seven degrees below the norm in February, according to the weather service.
Mr. Gray said about one-third of his winter wheat was damaged by the cold.
Ms. Jackson said the news is good from most farmers with whom she has spoken. Last year at this time, some farmers' fields were too wet to plant, but conditions seem better this year, Ms. Jackson said.
"I think everybody right now is kind of waiting to see what the weather will do," she said.
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