Rush is on to keep crops warm

Farmers coping with freezes that could destroy crops are getting a little government help.

The Florida Agriculture Commission eased highway restrictions on crop transporters following Gov. Charlie Crist's state of emergency declaration Dec. 31. Along with that declaration, Crist signed an executive order that relaxes the weight, height and width restrictions for commercial vehicles transporting vulnerable crops to processing sites over the next two weeks.

"Many farmers are rushing to harvest their crops to prevent losses," Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said in a news release. "The temporary easing of some highway restrictions helps them to more quickly transport their crops to processing facilities, thereby avoiding financial disaster."

Florida produces nearly all of the nation's domestically grown fruits and vegetables during the winter months, Bronson said, which is why it's important for farmers to be able to protect their crops from freezing temperatures.