The Granite State is experiencing its worst drought in years, with southeastern New Hampshire most affected. And despite a little rain lately, dry conditions are expected to continue, affecting farms, fish, private wells, plus increasing fire danger. We'll get the latest, including response from the state's drought task force.
GUESTS:
Brandon Kernan, manager of hydrology and conservation with the N.H. Department of Environmental Services.
Mary Stampone, state climatologist and an associate professor of geography at the University of New Hampshire.
N.H. is asking the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for a disaster declaration on behalf of the state's agriculture community. Bruce Cilley, State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency.
"What we really need is several multi-day, steady, overcast cool rain events -- some probably during the fall. That would be the bare minimum of what we would need...a fairly wet fall and then of course a decent snowfall season." Mary Stampone, state climatologist, on what N.H. needs to recover from the drought.
Also joining us:
- Bruce Cilley, N.H. State Executive Director of of the USDA Farm Service Agency.
- Bill Fosher, owner of Edgefield Farm in Westmoreland and coordinator for the Granite State Graziers, which represents pasture-based farmers.
- Brad Simpkins, Director of N.H. Division of Forest and Lands.
“We’ve burned about 540 acres so far this year. To put that in perspective, in an average year we burn about 240 acres for the entire year. So, we’re already about 225 % of the average in the acres burned, of where we would be for a full year.” Brad Simpkins, director of N.H. Division of Forest and Lands
