The Middle Tennessee drought remains, leaving farmers uncertain about harvest

Steve Hawkersmith drove up the lane of his farm on the way to his soybean field.

The bumpy ride mimicked this summer's growing season for row crops — one etched with a fluctuating drought across Middle Tennessee.

At the top, Hawkersmith parked his red truck between two fields. His dogs, Sophie and Pete, started running into the field to his right. That's where Hawkersmith pulled up a bean pod.

"See that’s where they are starting right there," he said, pointing at a healthy bean pod that was growing on track.

But just feet away, it was a different outcome. Hawkersmith walked through brown beanstalks that usually looked akin to harvest season after combining.

"This one is bad news," he said, pulling up bean pods that were undergrown. "You see that little bit of one like that right there. But if he grew all the way, he would always be behind."

Scattered showers across Middle Tennessee throughout the summer haven't meant even precipitation across farmland. And for Hawkersmith, that's especially frustrating for his 500 acres of crops. He has multiple farms across a two-mile radius.

"One day it rained at one farm and it didn’t rain down here. And you’ll say, ‘Why didn’t it rain in both places?” he said with a laugh.

What the drought is like in Middle Tennessee

The U.S. Drought Monitor comes out every Thursday.

Currently, much of Tennessee is in some form of drought. Where Hawkersmith farms in Coffee County, the drought level is abnormally dry. That usually indicates short-term dryness can slow crop and pasture growth, increase the risk of fire, and leave lingering water deficits.

However, the drought has gotten somewhat better. I shot this story at the end July, when Coffee County was in a severe drought. That typically means the lack of rain can lead to crop and pasture losses, water shortages, and water restrictions. The risk of fire is very high.

I went to ask our Storm 5 meteorologist Nikki-Dee Ray about this and the maps.

"When it comes to need, we really need it to get closer to the Tennessee-Alabama state line," she said. "We have had so much rain over the past several weeks. People thought, 'This is going to fix the situation.' But we have to remember the showers that we are having, not all of these are widespread."

Farmers like Hawkersmith won't know how much the drought will impact them until harvest time.

Until then, he and others can only stand and wait until it's to crawl into the top of the combine.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at emily.west@newschannel5.com.

Emily R. West / WTVF

By 2027, the amount of land loss is expected to rise to 2 million acres.

I found this study from the University of Tennessee Ag Institute that showcased this quandary.

During the last five years, Williamson County has lost the most farmland to development. That tracks as the population has risen significantly in Williamson. The U.S. Census has a quarter of a million people now living there.

Meet The Cherry and why they keep farming by tapping the link.

Emily R. West / WTVF

With farmland disappearing, I had to find out where it was going and getting lost.

Sumner County was suffering a similar fate to Williamson.

From 2014 until 2023, Sumner County lost more than 15,000 acres of land to development — both residential and commercial.

On average, 63,537 acres are developed on a yearly basis in Tennessee, according to UT economist Charley Martinez. However, since 2017, that number shot up to an average of more than 86,000 acres.

Sumner County ranks ninth in Tennessee for farmland transitioning to houses or commercial real estate since 2017.

You can tap the link to read why this group of people said they will fight farmlands going to development.

Emily R. West / WTVF

Despite Franklin County agriculture producing a $162 million economic impact, the rolling farmland nestled in the valley of Monteagle Mountain has slowly been affected by development.

Franklin County has lost the most acres since 2014. It totaled up to 26,000.

The Dixons don't want their farmland to become a part of the statistics.

In attempts to diversify the farm, Dixon is the primary manager for Granddaddy's Farm, a fall experience for families that includes pumpkins, corn mazes, a kids zone, landslides, pig races, flowers, and food.

Right now, three generations are farming together. Andrew is the fourth generation. He is hoping his son Carter will take an interest in becoming the fifth.

You can read about the Dixons and generational farming in Tennessee by tapping this link .

Farmland and Tennessee

Are you seeing farmland disappearing or land changing in your neighborhood? Please tell me.

I have been working on stories about the tug between agriculture and development. I came to this topic because of a line in a press release from August from the University of Tennessee Agricultural Institute. It pointed to a study about disappearing farmland an economist had done. I found the economist, talked with him and compiled the data for our viewing area for NewsChannel 5, which covers 45 Tennessee counties.

I am now exploring how this affects you. If you want to talk, my email is emily.west@newschannel5.com.

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“Here’s a great story that proves everyone has something to give, regardless of age OR personal challenges. Our Austin Pollack introduces us to Ms Sylvia Mooney. At age 80, she’s not sitting still. Instead, she using her skills to craft compassion for others… one stitch at a time. Her crochet creations go to non-profits to help our homeless neighbors. You’ll be surprised to learn she does it all, while facing a serious health issue. Bravo Sylvia!”

-Rhori Johnston