GERMANTOWN HILLS — St. Mary of Lourdes Church will host a rosary for the intention of all in the farming industry at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11.

The rural church north of Germantown Hills, which includes a Marian grotto on the parish grounds, is located at 424 Lourdes Church Road.

Because of heavy and frequent spring rains, Illinois — the nation’s second-largest producer of corn — is off to the slowest start to a planting season on record, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

As of June 2, Illinois farmers had only been able to sow corn seed in 45 percent of the acreage dedicated to the crop. Many are facing difficult decisions about whether to move ahead or forgo planting this season.