For the past two weeks, the U.S. Drought Monitor has found around 45% of Stark County to be in moderate drought, while the rest of the area is abnormally dry.

Some neighboring counties further east have entered severe drought.

Local farmers are calling it the worst dry season they've ever seen.

Back in the spring, Kris Vincent's farm had one rainy day after another.

The Akron-Canton Airport recorded 5.02 inches of rain in April, more than an inch above average.

"Most of us in the area here in Stark County had trouble getting into hayfields in a timely manner," he said.

Vincent, 65, owns Tri-Pine Farm in Osnaburg Township.

"We generally can make our first cutting of hay around Memorial Day weekend ... Because of that wet beginning, we didn't get into our fields to make dry hay unti

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