Agriculture

The carpenter bees are doing a number on our house! We perfectly fit the profile of a desirable place to lay your eggs for this rather docile bee, and they are busy around the frame of the garage as I write. I do have a plan.

Carpenter bees are essentially harmless. The male, who hovers about, has no stinger. The female tunnels and lays her eggs. When she does come out, you would have to handle her for her to sting.

I’ve never been stung by one and they sort of become acquaintances, because they are always there hovering about.

There are seven candidates for the Commissioner of Agriculture: James Comer (R), Robert Farmer (D), Stewart Gritton (D), John Lackey (D), Rob Rothenburger (R), David Williams (D), and BD Wilson (D). The Kentucky Agriculture Report collected responses on key issues from all candidates but Democrat David Williams. Here are their responses based on the order provided.

What do you see as the role of the Agriculture Commissioner in the state?

Cornerstone Christian Academy is getting into the farming business.

An idea by board member Ray Tucker has led the school to have not only its first Ag Day for students on Tuesday but also to plant the school’s unused 17 acres on Frankfort Road in crops that can in the traditional agricultural manner help support the school.

Tucker, who with his wife, Stephanie, owns Tucker Farms, has two children who attend Cornerstone, and he recently was voted vice chairman of the board.

Unless you are cultivating cranberries or rice, all this rain is likely thwarting your spring gardening plans. It sure is for many farmers in our area, which is my primary concern.

While perspective is important in these matters, many homeowners may see a little stress in their landscapes as a result of over a week of soaking rain.

So how does excessive precipitation effect plants? Well, in every way possible.