Heavy June rains dampen outlook for Maine’s harvest later this year

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • July 2, 2023

Drenched fields this summer are leaving Maine farmers floundering to catch up with yearly production expectations. With heavy rainfall and low temperatures, agricultural production has taken a hit early this season, and some summer staple crops  are paying the price. The Portland area saw 23 days of rain last month, totaling 5.68 inches and making it the rainiest June since 2015. The average high temperature was only 68.7 degrees, 5 degrees below the normal level. The combination of conditions created a double whammy for Maine’s farmers.