Major crop loss following one of the wettest summers on record may mean the end for Featherstone Farm in Rushford. The certified organic farm, owned by Jack Hedin since 1997, suffered more than $350,000 in total crop loss in 2016. A majority of the loss came in the form of cabbage, of which the farm relies heavily on to store and sell to retailers in the spring. "We had a big loss in crops all across the board, like tomatoes, melons and squash, carrots, but where we felt the money hit was with the cabbage," Hedin said. A storage cooler usually filled floor to ceiling with crates of cabbage is nearly empty, with only a few crates of carrots and onions inside. "From a risk management standpoint, our management strategy is to have many different crops," he said. "But this year, the one thing we can't control, the weather, cost us 80 percent of our cabbage crop." Hedin said heavy rains in August and September didn't allow his vegetable crops to dry out. As a result, disease overtook the crops. "That period of time is when cabbage is super vulnerable, so nearly all the cabbage we planted in June was wiped out by the persistent rain," he said. As a result of the loss, the farm is turning to the community for help staying alive. It's looking to raise $150,000 by Thanksgiving in order to stay open. "There's no doubt about it, if we don't get the $150,000, and I face the choice between going into the 2017 season weaker than ever, or closing the business, I think we would close the business." Despite the grim outlook, employee Jennifer Breitlow says the staff of 50 is remaining positive. "I believe in Jack's vision and he has been the most energetic and optimistic person I've ever worked for and that is what keeps us believing," she said. Source - http://www.wxow.com