A farmer south of Nashville reminded us recently of the 2006 drought, which lasted two years.

"We were hauling in water with semi's 24 hours a day and still couldn't keep up," he said.

Another farmer he knew eventually walked away. Washed his hands of farming; he'd had enough. The drought broke him.

The rest of us? We aren't affected by droughts in the same way as farmers. I thought back to what Walter Bates (Hoe Hop Valley Farm in Benton) and Christina Crook (Dayspring Farm + Pig Mountain in Altamont) told us about the drought's impact.

Here's Christina:

• We rely on our pastures to feed our animals and when we hit bad drought years like this, we have to feed hay to stretch out what our pastures can provide.
• Not only does each bale cost money, but you risk not being able to refill your winter hay supply because the hay farmers are struggling, too.
• When our pastures take a hit, we will seed them in the fall to help return soil and forage health in years to come. ... We have to have reliable rainfall for the seeds to germinate and there is a limited window of time in which that must happen before the colder temps hit.

Here's Walter:

• We need rain in order for the manure to assimilate into the pasture, both for sanitation and regrowth. We canceled the delivery of 400 baby chicks this season because of the slow regrowth. 

So, when it rained Saturday afternoon, it felt like Christmas morning. We sprang from the couch, threw open the windows - ma in her kerchief, I in my cap - and just inhaled.

It was a somatic, physical event, something in our bodies exhaling as the rain fell outside. It also felt psychological: rainfall as mental relief.

Things being restored. Rain falling. Right as rain.

Did you feel this, too?

A few days before it rained, I'd been watering parts of our yard with the sprinkler. Out the kitchen window, eight bluebirds appeared, flying in and out of the sprinkler's path, bathing in the small puddles on the ground.

It felt initially like a Disney moment, until it quickly hits: all these animals are hurting from such thirst.

The further I am from living and being outside, the more I forget this.

There's not a drought inside my home. The faucets work fine, with clean water coming out every time -- every time -- we turn them on.

(That fact alone separates me from two billion humans who lack safe drinking water and another four billion humans suffering from severe water scarcity.)

Drought is a term that doesn't quite cover it. There is a longing, deep reaching out for what is not there. Here's Wendell Berry:

There are all sorts of drought. Loneliness, at epidemic levels, is a form of drought. Good connection feels like rain, doesn't it? Right as rain.

Finally, some chin-up news. According to Drought.gov, this won't last.

A few announcements ...

• We were so proud to share Sunday's feature on Dorris Shober and the historic influence of Lupi's Pizza Pies.

On Sept. 25, to mark its 25th anniversary, Lupi's in Hixson will donate 25% of all sales to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.

•  This weekend, Crabtree Farms holds its annual fall plant sale.
• Ya'll, this Thursday? Tomorrow night? It's the second annual Sprodeo.

Spencer Perez, our friend and owner of Coffee Machine Service Co., is hosting a friendly competition among Chattanooga baristas.

"Velo, Sleepyhead, Red Eyed Rooster, Mean Mug, Goodman's and some ex-coffee oldheads" will be there, he said.

For the event, Spencer is bringing Smash Boyz, Clever Alehouse and DJ Heartthrob. His goal?

"Something that honors the hard work the city's best baristas pour into their craft every day," he said.

Location: 2112 Dayton Blvd, just below Mango's Decor. Doors at 6:30, event at 7, $10 to party.

• Finally, we'll be vending at the Main St. Farmers' Market this afternoon from 4-6. We'll be selling hats and handing out party invitations. Remember: next Thursday ... our big birthday party. And we want to party with you!

All photography by Sarah Unger (sarah@foodasaverb.com)

All design by Alex DeHart

All words by David Cook (david@foodasaverb.com)

Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com

This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.