While Strathmore residents are enjoying the very little snow on the ground, area farmers are furrowing their brows a bit.  

“It's concerning because we are very dry, we don't have any subsurface moisture to speak of, but at the same time it can still snow lots.” explained area farmer Herman Praeker. “It can still rain lots before seeding or rain after seeding, so you know it's definitely a concern because we do depend on that subsurface moisture in dry years.” 

It still is too early to tell what the season is going to behold, but many area farmers have not yet forgotten the trials and tribulations of last year’s drought.  

“We've seen this before so it's nothing new. It is beautiful out but we can also see some cold snaps here, we might as well enjoy the chinook while we can.”  

Praeker explained that out of the many different types of crops he grows, rain is the most important ingredient to a great harvest.  

“We live in a semi-dry area so we're always looking for rain it seems. We very seldom get too wet in this area. Our soils are such that we store the moisture down in the clay and the crops do well with some rain.” 

Year after year, farmers are at the mercy of Mother Nature and Praeker said it is a profession unlike anything else!  

“Farmers have faith in the weather and we’ll go out and see the crop in dry soils, not know if it is even going to rain, but we still have to take that chance, it’s hard, but it is our livelihood.”