Farmers facing drought conditions will be getting help from the state.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed the Farm Act into law last week, which will eventually help farmers with irrigation and digging ponds, but also when hurricane season brings flooding.

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It could also affect the price you pay for produce as the weather continues to wreak havoc on local farmers who cannot sell produce as large, or for as much, as they have in previous years.

The Farm Act became law after months of lobbying and meetings to ensure lawmakers understood the cost of farming- just like everything else – is going up. WRAL wanted to know how farmers felt about the bill and whether North Carolinians will see any impact when you go to buy groceries.

Back in April, WRAL visited Jackie Thompson’s family farm where he grows wheat, soybeans and tobacco. The farm has been in his family for nearly 70 years. He sat down with us again to talk about the rain.

"It's been ... it's drops from heaven, as we call it," Thompson said. "It has been, it's been great to see it."

When we visited Thompson’s farm near Rolesville, 17% of the state was in an extreme drought. A look at drought.gov on Thursday, July 9, shows more than 43% of North Carolina is in an extreme drought.

"It has really stunted its growth, and it's caused it not to grow into the to the size that it normally does every year," Thompson said of his crops. "So we're potentially thinking that the size of our plants are not going to be as big," 

You could see the difference at the farmers market and the grocery store.

Meanwhile, with the Farm Act passed, advocates want to update funding for drought assistance.

"So fast forward to now, 2026, it says we need to update that plan, present those needs again to the General Assembly," said Mitch Peele, senior director of public policy for the NC Farm Bureau. "How can we help farmers? And so that's what we're doing. That plan is actually underway."

Advocates are also planning for hurricane season and how farmers can not only withstand floods but help capture water that could overwhelm neighborhoods.

Thompson is grateful for the work of lawmakers and the attention to the future of farming.

"I am thankful that WRAL recognizes agriculture in North Carolina is still important," he said.

Farming advocates will present the plan to the General Assembly early next year, Peele said, and hope they’ll be as friendly toward helping farmers as they were 15 years ago.