Recent weather patterns have caused a number of problems for local farmers.

After a snowy cold winter, we've had many rainy days this spring.Rich Konkus of Konkus Farms in Cressona has been dealing with drawbacks because of the frequent rainy days."On cool, rainy days, it's hard to get outside. I can't get anything done," he said.He grows peppers, tomatoes, squash and corn, among other kinds of produce, but harvest days have been pushed back because of the cool spring.Deanna Cunfer, East Penn Township secretary, grows produce for both public sale and private use.For Cunfer, the bitter winter was the source of her problems."It's moved the planting season back because the ground was too cold. There's no use putting seeds in the ground when it's not at the right temperature," she said.According to Charlie Metz, Penn State Master Gardener, there are benefits to a snowy winter when it comes to gardening.Because snow acts as an insulator, roots of established plants should be fine, and soil will have plenty of moisture once the ground thaws, he said.For Valarie Dunn of Dunn's Farm Market, Tamaqua, rough weather tends to be beneficial in other ways."For some reason, more people stop by when it's raining," she said.Whether people are stopping at the roadside stand because they don't want to drive in the rain, or because they want to buy plants that are freshly watered, Dunn's is thankful for rain.When challenges do arise, however, they don't end once the seed is planted; animals can put all your hard work to waste.Cunfer has seen deer, turkey, crows and geese tampering with her garden."Some will take the sprout out of the ground," she said.She has even seen crows peel corn like a human would, right off the stalk, and bears are infamous for making large, 10-foot by 10-foot beds where she has planted.As if mother nature didn't cause enough trouble, many problems come from lack of respect from people.According to Cunfer, "It's disheartening when people drive their four-wheelers and dirt bikes through our yards and gardens."