'We're praying for rain': How strawberry farmers are dealing with drought

COLGATE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Strawberry season is in full swing, but Mother Nature is not making farming fruitful.

"We're praying for rain, yes," Basse's Taste of Country owner Roger Basse said.

Basse and his family have been farming in Washington County since 2000. He tells CBS 58 he is in the business of growing memories for families.

"They can come out and pick strawberries, pick apples, pick pumpkins during different seasons," he explained.

This summer, it has been a struggle to keep their strawberries hydrated.

"We haven't had a good rain all spring, to be honest with you," Basse said. "We've been relying our strawberry crop on irrigation, but it's just not the same as Mother Nature's rain."

The minimal precipitation has impacted their anticipated sales and hours of operation.

"Pre-picked, we had them for three days, and then we had to stop because we just didn't have the volume to keep going," Basse said.

Though you will not find any cases of strawberries in the Basse's shop, their fields are full of berries ripe for picking.

"I'm not a strawberry plant expert, just a strawberry eater expert," Lisbon resident Jim Smith said while picking fruit on Tuesday.

Smith, who has been picking strawberries since he was a little boy, does not see a difference.

"God could've made a better berry, but he didn't," he said.

However, there is a slight distinction.

"There's a silver lining: they taste wonderful this year. They may be a little smaller, and we don't have the same amount this year, but they're very good," Basse said.

The drought is not just impacting this year's yield of strawberries. New fields have already been planted for next season that also need water.

"The more natural rain we have, the better for them and a better crop next year, too," Basse explained.

Despite the changes, there is still time to pick fruit. Basse anticipates strawberry season will last into early July and is hopeful they can have a better yield in 2024.

"You know what farmers say, it's always next year, you know," he said.

For more information on Basse's Taste of Country, visit their website.