West Virginia farmers navigate severe drought

According to the USDA drought monitor, nearly all West Virginians are living in drought conditions and the lack of water impacts more than just home gardens.

The latest map published Thursday showed more than half the state in severe drought conditions.

Leslie Burdette is the co-owner of Shady Oaks Farm in Putnam County and she said they had a record year of sales because of earlier harvests. She credits their irrigation system for keeping their crops alive but without additional rainfall, this year’s grapes and next year’s blueberry could be impacted.

Their rain gauge was complete empty during our visit. Several government organizations report this is West Virginia’s 12th driest year on record.

“It’s been pretty extreme plus the brutal heat, the temperature and the high humidity. So, it’s everything together, it’s like the perfect storm,” Burdette said.

Friday, Governor Jim Justice issued a state of emergency because of dry conditions. This will allow the state’s emergency management division to respond to drought-related issues.

The Burdette’s said regardless of the drought conditions, West Virginians are resilient.

“It’s passion. I mean, you’ll find with every farmer that that’s what it is. I mean there’s so many farmers and that’s the one thing we all have in common,” she said.

A couple Jackson County, W.Va. farmers told Eyewitness News over the phone, some of their corn crops are suffering and need moisture.

According to the state’s conservation agency, livestock producers having a difficult time getting water in moderate or higher droughts, are eligible to receive cost sharing programs for things like portable water tanks.

The governor’s disaster declaration will last for 30 days unless the governor issues another proclamation to make it expire.