The hard times facing Michigan farmers are getting national attention right now.
6 News spoke with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, who both offered support during this record-setting drought.
Local farmers and AG specialists are also getting together this week at the Jackson County Fair.
The 4-H exhibits are usually a place where young people show off all their hard work, but they say this year, it's more about learning how hard farming can be.
Even for those who've been living the farm life for quite a while, this summer has been unlike any other.
"I've seen it dry, but nothing like this," said Emily and Katy Tengman.
That's why 4-H'ers like Emily, who's been at it seven years, and Katy Tengman, five, are learning early on just how much of it depends on mother nature.
"Corn prices went up, so feed prices go up. It just makes it difficult," they said.
The two show pigs each year and use corn as a base in the feed, which means they had to shell out more of their money to keep up.
"Since we spend more money on feed, hopefully we try and get more money for our animals to help pay for it," said Tengman.
And they're not alone. MSU Extension officials say lots of livestock producers in Jackson are dealing with drought.
"Hay has really been hit by the drought, and hay is getting really hard to find. We're used to spending three or four dollars a bale, but now its seven or eight dollars a bale," said Mike Metzger, an MSU Extension educator.
But the girls say the tough times haven't scared them off. They're just proud they pulled through and still have something to show for it.
The fair continues throughout the week with many more shows and exhibits.
