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BOUNTIFUL — Utah is experiencing a possible drought and local farmers say they are already starting to notice a dryer season, especially those who grow fruits and vegetables.
Thursday was the first day for Bountiful's annual farmer's market. It's one of those signs that summer is here. But signs of a possible drought are also already here.
Chad Midgley says he couldn't wait for the farmer's market to open. All season long, all he could think about was the first day of the Bountiful Farmers market and selling his specialty, lemon spinach.
Midgley says he loves running his own farm, Chad's Produce, out of Syracuse. What he doesn't love is how dry it is this year.
They're saying by the middle of the summer in Syracuse, where I'm at, if people don't start conserving water, there will not be any water in Syracuse.
–Chad Midgley
"They're saying by the middle of the summer in Syracuse, where I'm at, if people don't start conserving water, there will not be any water in Syracuse," Midgley said.
For a guy whose living depends on water for his crops, he's understandably a little nervous.
"I'm real concerned about that, because no water means no produce," he said
Almost any crop farmer in Utah will tell you that drought is always a concern, so this year it's pretty much downright scary.
"You can't do without it, so it's a big deal," said Kerianne Bangerter.
Bangerter helps run Bangerter Farm in Bountiful.
She has also noticed a difference in the growing season as compared to seasons in the past.
"It's come on a little bit later," Bangerter said. "We're a little bit behind schedule."
Still, she says her farm's peas, radishes, beets are all doing well. And she's expecting more produce in just a few more days.
"Next week we get green beans, and that's a huge thing for us," she said. "Everyone loves the green beans. And corn around the Fourth of July, and tomatoes just after that."
And as long as there is water for farmers, there is for all of us.
"It was like this in 2003, but there is a lot more people now along the Wasatch front," Midgley said.
