Area Farmers Struggling During Dry Spell
159 views · Published 22 June 2012 · 1:54 · Indexed 10 November 2026
Channel: Dayton 24/7 Now · 2012 · News & Politics
BUTLER TOWNSHIP -- The warm weather is affecting everyone these days especially farmers, some of them barely able to find enough water to water their crops.Farmers all throughout the Miami Valley are working overtime just to keep their plants alive as they are in desperate need of some summer rain."Without rain, then there won't be anything" said Gleen Monnin, Farmer.Glenn Monnin is always on his farm, and with each passing day, and little rain in sight, he watches as his livelihood withers and in some cases, dies before him."The vines on the berries themselves are drying up, the berries themselves are drying up" said Monnin.The Miami Valley has been nearing drought conditions, with much of the area needing almost six inches of rain. Monnin says he has already lost many fruits and vegetables worth thousands of dollars. If the dry spell continues, all of his crops will be lost in a matter of months."If I go another two months the crop itself is just going to be devastated, and they'll just fall right off the trees" said Monnin.Monnin spent about 3,000 dollars on a pond and irrigation system. The pond on his farm has nearly dried up. Despite the watering resources, Monnin and his family are having to manually water the plants to keep them alive. "We use our well and we'll fill up our sprayer or we'll fill up a 50 gallon drum and we'll actually have to go and water acres of vegetables" said Monnin.Monnin says he hopes the dry spell comes to an end soon... "otherwise the crops will just dry up and be done" said Monnin.
