Despite some recent rain, New Hampshire is currently classified as "abnormally dry" by the National Drought Mitigation Center. The lack of rainfall has forced many New Hampshire farmers to turn to irrigation.
"We've spent a lot of money. It's a huge pain in the neck," says Chuck Souther, owner of Apple Hill Farm in Concord, who had to irrigate this year's strawberry crop. "We're much happier when rain falls out of the sky."
If the dry period doesn't let up, Souther and other farmers say their apples, pumpkins, and even next year's berry crops could be affected.