Dry Fields, Rising Risks: Understanding Georgia's Expanding Drought

Dry Fields, Rising Risks: Understanding Georgia's Expanding Drought

From Georgia Farm Bureau's: Growing On Podcast by Georgia Farm Bureau

February 20, 2026 · 15 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the current drought conditions in Georgia and their implications for farmers and the upcoming growing season.

Every county in Georgia is now experiencing some level of drought — and for farmers, the timing couldn't be more critical. In this episode, recorded in Watkinsville, Georgia, agricultural climatologist Pam Knox with the University of Georgia breaks down what's driving the state's widespread dry conditions and what it could mean for the upcoming growing season. From the role of La Niña in shaping Georgia's winter weather to the lack of tropical systems that typically supply 30–40% of the state's summer rainfall, Knox explains how months of below-average precipitation have left soil moisture reserves dangerously low. While recent cold snaps brought ice and snow, they delivered little meaningful moisture — and that has major implications for spring planting. We discuss: Why winter is normally Georgia's "recharge season" for soil moisture — and why that hasn't happened this year The difference between surface dryness and deeper soil and reservoir impacts How drought affects forage, winter grains, vegetables, blueberries, and early corn planting The difficult irrigation decisions farmers face during water shortages Lessons from past droughts, including crop losses during pollination…

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