MIDDLEBURGH, N.Y. (AP) -- Farmers in parts of the Northeast and Midwest who had to cope with lots of flooding last summer and fall say they're grateful that a warm and largely snowless winter has helped them heal their land.

In the Midwest it was swollen rivers fed by huge mountain snowpacks and spring rain, and in the Northeast it was back-to-back tropical storms Irene and Lee.

For farmers such as David and Denise Lloyd, of Middleburgh, N.Y., the weather has helped as they plowed under hundreds of acres of feed corn that had been just ready for cutting.

In Vermont, Beth Kennett says the mild weather helped with the cleanup and has let them plant some winter rye, which prevents erosion and enriches the soil.

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