MADISON (AP) — The head grower from Backyard Farms has resigned after the Maine greenhouse had to destroy two crops of tomato plants this summer.

Backyard Farms, which operates a 42-acre greenhouse in Madison, has said the problems mean a new batch of tomatoes won’t be available in grocery stores until early next year.

The Morning Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1eXwMXk ) reported the company said it is already searching for a successor to head grower Tim de Kok. Officials said the resignation was coincidental to the destruction of two tomato crops.

The company typically produces more than 27 million pounds of tomatoes each year. The first crop was destroyed because of a bug infestation and the second was because of weak seedlings.