FRUIT FARM BATTLES DROUGHT
THERE IS A PRECIOUS COMMODITY OF WATER FLOWING FROM THE FAMOUS CONWAY SPRINGS, KANSAS AQUIFER. THIS AQUIFER IS THE LIFEBLOOD FOR HUNDREDS OF PEACHES, NECTARINES, AND APPLE TREES IN THE STEFFEN FAMILY-RUN FRUIT FARM IN CONWAY SPRINGS.THIS FAMILY-RUN FRUIT FARM IS IN THE NATION'S LARGEST WHEAT PRODUCING COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES. THE FAMILY ALSO GROWS WHEAT, AND FRUIT GROWER NICK STEFFEN SAYS THE FAMILY HAS THE SAME RISKS WITH GROWING BOTH PRODUCTS. THE TREE-RIPENED FRUIT AT THIS FARM IS 85-PERCENT WATER.THE FRUIT HAS BEEN IN FAIRLY GOOD SHAPE SO FAR THANKS TO THE AQUIFER, EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A BIG DROUGHT IN THE MID-SOUTH. IF RAIN DOESN'T FALL SOON THOUGH, NOT EVEN THE AQUIFER WILL BE ABLE TO SAVE THE FRUIT AND LATE SUMMER VARIETIES COULD BE IN TROUBLE.SO FAR THOUGH, CUSTOMERS WHO COME TO THIS PICK-IT YOURSELF FRUIT-FARM HAVE FOUND GOOD FRUIT AND ARE ENJOYING IT THANKS TO THE AQUIFER, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A DROUGHT.