When many of us think about drought, things like dry lawns, dusty driveways, or low water levels in our wells come to mind. This isn’t a regular occurrence for us like it is in some other areas of North America. It can be inconvenient and even upsetting for families to limit water usage, to see brown lawns, or to not be able to water gardens. But for farmers, the problems are much bigger, have a wider impact — and one or two rainfalls won’t magically solve them all.
Here in Nova Scotia, we have endured over two months without significant rainfall. Even though some areas had some rain in late August, farms are feeling the strain. Drought does not simply “end” when the first rain falls, and its impacts don’t end when this growing season ends.
Drought can have serious long-lasting effects on crops, livestock, soil, and farm viability. The immediate impacts often create challenges that ripple through the local and regional food system for months, or even years.
By understanding how drought affects our local food system — both now and in the months to come — we can make choices that help ensure the short term and long-term viability of local production and the farmers who make it possible.
What’s happening?
Right now, the drought is creating a range of challenges on the farms that feed us and fuel our rural economies.
The drought is directly affecting this year’s harvest. Some of the ways that drought can be seen and felt include:
- Size of fruits and vegetables – Insufficient rainfall can lead to smaller produce. While the products are still tasty and healthy, some retailers won’t accept non-standard sized products.
- Shorter storage life – some crops that ordinarily would store for months in climate-controlled facilities may not last as well, or as long.
- Availability and size of crops – Some types of plants may fail completely this summer; others may produce fewer or smaller produce than is typical.
- Fewer fall crops – Many farms plant certain crops in mid-late summer for a fall and early winter harvest. Without good conditions now some farmers may not be able to plant their fall crops.
On livestock farms both the livestock and the food they eat are impacted by drought. Farmers do everything they can to ensure their livestock have what they need to thrive.
- Drinking water on pastures – All animals need access to fresh drinking water. Many on-farm water sources, like natural or constructed ponds, wells, and rivers, are reaching record low levels. Farmers may be filling water tanks at one of their wells or ponds and then hauling it to pastures where water sources are already depleted, or they may be hiring water trucks to deliver water to their ponds and wells.
- Drinking water in barns – Farmers are managing water use by being extra vigilant to find and repair leaks. Some are providing water to their livestock in a more measured and controlled way to ensure that the animals needs are met each day without wasting excess water.
- Feeding Livestock – The pastures where livestock live and eat depend on rain to grow. Without rain or irrigation, plants will struggle to absorb nutrients from the soil, and to regenerate after being grazed. They may also ripen or go to seed early. When there’s too little rain and pastures are no longer enough, farmers need to find other ways to feed their livestock. Some might be using their stockpile of feed that was meant for winter – hay or silage that was cut earlier this summer – to feed their livestock now.
- Growing and harvesting feed for livestock – Farms that grow forages and grains for sale as animal feed are also impacted by the drought. Their yields will be down, quality down, and will likely face increasing demand from those who have not been able to grow or harvest enough feed for their own livestock.
Drought impacts farms’ bottom lines, now, and in the months to come. Farm expenses are higher during droughts and yields and crop sizes may be down significantly.
- Unplanned expenses — to cover increased costs such as irrigation, additional labour, and supplemental feed for animals.
- Delayed or skipped planting — some crops can’t be planted if soil moisture is too low.
- Stress & uncertainty for farmers — financial pressure and worry about next year’s production.
- Impact on farm infrastructure — ponds, wells, and reservoirs may run low, affecting long-term water supply.
Impacts Next Season (and Beyond)
The effects of a significant drought like this one can carry over into the following year’s growing season — and in some cases, beyond. Here’s what that might look like on farms across the province.
Reduced soil health
- Fall, winter and spring, rains may not fully recharge the soil and water table after an extremely dry year.
- Drought is limiting current cover crop growth and resilience this summer which will mean less organic matter and nutrients being added to the soil for the next crop.
- Seeds and seedlings may struggle to germinate or establish strong roots.
- Bare soil is more prone to erosion and weed invasion.
Preparation for 2025 growing season
- Crops grown for seed this year may produce fewer viable seeds, leading to a smaller seed supply for 2025.
- Farmers may face higher seed prices or limited availability when planting.
Weakened perennial plants (fruit trees, berry bushes, maple, or Christmas trees, etc.) may:
- Produce fewer buds or flowers in spring, leading to smaller harvests.
- Develop smaller fruit clusters or berries due to reduced stored energy.
- Show reduced quality — lower sugar content, reduced flavour, uneven ripening.
- Experience more winter injury because drought stress reduces cold tolerance.
- Take 2–3 years to fully recover from severe stress.
- Growth of new stems or seedlings may be impacted.
Increased pest and disease pressure
- Stressed plants are more vulnerable to insect and disease damage.
- Mild winters following drought can allow pests to survive and spread earlier in the season.
Changes to crop plans
- Farmers may choose drought-tolerant varieties over traditional favourites.
- Acreage may be reduced to match expected water availability.
Financial strain
- Lower income this year can limit the ability to buy seed, fertilizer, or equipment.
- May reduce investment in infrastructure like irrigation or soil improvement.
How You Can Help
When farms face drought, your support makes a real difference — to farmers today, and to the future of the food system in Nova Scotia.
When people say they are supporting local agriculture, they often mean buying locally grown food and other products. Did you know it also helps ensure we all continue to have access to local food?
Right Now
When people say they are supporting local agriculture, they often mean buying locally grown food and other products. Did you know it also helps ensure we all continue to have access to local food?
Buying local is one of the most effective ways to directly support local farms. Every local purchase helps farmers keep producing, recover from challenges, and plan for the future.
Managing a farm during a drought often means increased costs for farmers, but families may also be managing tight budgets. Every household makes decisions differently, and farmers appreciate the support whenever and however it’s possible. There are lots of ways to show your support.
- Buy local products whenever possible — check grocery store labels, shop at farmers’ markets, sign up for farm newsletters, look into CSAs, and visit farm stands.
- Understand that some products may look a bit different – for example, corn needs rain at the right time to plump up the kernels so this year’s crop may have smaller kernels. Other fruits and vegetables can be affected as well.
- Choose “imperfect” produce — smaller or misshapen fruits and veggies are still delicious and nutritious.
- Keep in mind that prices may be shifting — Choosing to spend even a little more on local products directly supports farm families and helps ensure fresh, local food remains available for all of us.
- Try different local products if your usual favourites are not available.
- Visit farms and agritourism events — U-picks, tours, and Open Farm Day offer income and community connection.
- Talk about what’s happening — share stories about the drought’s impact with friends and on social media.
Over the Longer Term
- Continue buying local year-round, not just in peak season.
- Eat seasonally – adapt your recipes and meal planning to include more fresh, frozen, or prepared local products.
- Preserve local foods (freeze, can, pickle) to enjoy later and reduce reliance on imports.
- Support farmer-led initiatives — CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), farm memberships, or buying clubs.
- Spread the word – Talk about the local products you’re buying and encourage friends and family to be aware of how their shopping can have a significant impact on the local food system.
- Be flexible and open-minded — farming is seasonal and unpredictable, availability changes from year to year.
- Engage with farmers’ social media — read, watch, and share content that builds understanding of farming challenges.
- Invest in the local food economy — attend food festivals, dine at restaurants sourcing local ingredients, and support businesses that buy from farmers.
Bottom line
Supporting local farms during a drought isn’t just about helping in the moment — it’s about ensuring a resilient local food system for the future. By understanding the challenges and acting on them, we can help Nova Scotia farms weather the storm and keep our communities fed for years to come.
When we buy locally grown products we are each playing a part in making sure that our local farms will still be here growing the products we love.
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