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Mass. Tobacco Crop Bounces Back

After two disastrous years, western Massachusetts tobacco farmers are enjoying a bumper harvest this summer.

More than 90 percent of the region's crop was destroyed by disease last year. The 2008 crop was severely damaged by storms.

Farmers tell The Daily Hampshire Gazette that this summer's hot and dry weather has been nearly ideal for the region's tobacco, which is primarily used to make high-quality cigar wrappers.

Allan Zuchowski, owner of Lazy Acres Farms in Hadley, says he cut most of the 10 acres of tobacco on his 70-acre farm last month and it is now in the drying sheds that dot the Connecticut River Valley landscape.

According to federal agricultural officials, Hampshire County has more than 500 acres of tobacco.

WBUR Archive:

This program aired on August 6, 2010. The audio for this program is not available.

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