CLERMONT, Fla. – Central Florida is facing its worst drought in almost a decade, with extreme conditions taking a toll on farms and communities across the region.
At Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, watering times have tripled to ensure the plants are getting enough water.
This has become the new normal as team members work overtime to protect the crops and the business.
More than half of Florida is now experiencing drought-like conditions, with burn bans in effect across numerous counties. For Central Florida farms, the prolonged dry spell is more than just a weather headline, it’s a daily struggle to keep fruit and flowers healthy and stress-free.
“Typically, we try to water the best we can early in the morning, anywhere from 4 to 7 a.m., so it doesn’t evaporate real quick because that’s when the plants want it,” said David Hill, co-owner of Southern Hill Farms. “But we’re finding we have to turn the water on three times a day because it’s so dry, humidity’s low, it’s windy, and the plants need to get through the stress.”
Southern Hill Farms is one of the few farms that can rely on both a drip irrigation and reclaimed water system, but even with these measures, keeping crops alive has required extra effort.
Workers have been closely monitoring soil sensors and weather stations, adjusting irrigation schedules to combat the relentless dryness.
While the drought poses challenges for growers, some visitors have found a silver lining. Abigail Smisek, a guest at the farm, said the lack of rain has made it easier to enjoy outdoor activities.
“I could drive an hour to Clermont and not have to worry about an hour drive back home in the rain,” Smisek said. “I just went in the pool yesterday and then sat out in the sun, and when I checked the time, I said, ‘Wow, it’s already 4 o’clock and it hasn’t rained yet.’”
The drought has also increased the risk of brush fires, which sometimes flare up as close as across the street from the farm.
“You have the stress of worrying about the land around you because normally you don’t have a fire on your land if you have irrigation, but just off site, you can have a fire at the drop of a hat,” Hill said. “When that happens, you have to be on high alert.”
With the burn-rate increasing, it leaves Florida’s natural green lush at risk.
“You know, I’ve never seen something so green burn so fast,” Smisek said.