Electricity Wasn't the Only Thing Lost to Hurricane Irene

The high winds and heavy rainfall from Hurricane Irene on August 27 and 28 brought down trees and electrical lines throughout the region, but they caused more damage than anyone can imagine to other residents who depend upon the grace of Mother Nature for their livelihood.

Among them are area farmers who came out on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 28) and Monday, Aug. 29 to see their fields of tomatoes, beans and herbs flattened to the ground and under a foot of water.

Jim Zeoli from Shamrock Farm on Lambert Road was among the unlucky farmers to suffer such a loss.

His tomato plants, which stood tall and were heavy with "beautiful" baseball sized perfect tomatoes on Saturday before the storm were laying down in a bog of rainwater, the leaves all brown, leaving him to question what he would be able to salvage.

One week later, on Sunday, Sept. 4, Zeoli and his farmhand, Christian picked the best tomatoes from the field and filled boxes that they brought over to the farm stand.

You can help your local farmers by going to the farm stands and buying the vegetables they've grown this year.