LOCKPORT, N.Y. — It's been a tough summer for local farmers with the extreme heat and dry weather — as well as the possible impact of the trade war with China. 

"It's been a challenging year for a lot of farmers here in Western New York. Especially in this region right here, the Niagara County region," said Patrick Spoth, Kelkenberg Farm. "There's been a band of just very dry weather that we seem to have trouble having relief from."

"We went from cold weather right into heat and in Niagara County we're just in an almost in a drought here," said Elaine Barnett, Niagara County Farm Bureau.

Barnett is an organic farmer who works with the Niagara County Farm Bureau. She's says the heat has made it particularly difficult for smaller farmers. 

"Setting up irrigation, especially a small farm. It's time consuming. I have lost a few crops, just never came up, the seeds didn't germinate. So, you go in for a second planting and sometimes they come up and sometimes they don't. But the heat has been an issue," said Barnett.

Another issue that's had some farmers worried is the trade war with China. China responded to U.S. tariffs by raising tariff in imports of U.S. agricultural products.

"I think what I'm hearing right now is that it's just uncertain. We're not really sure if it's gonna effect positively or negatively. So, I think we're al hoping for the best," said Barnett.

Spoth agrees. He says so far local farmers haven't been impacted, but many are still concerned.

"I think that a lot of the farmers are struggling with it right now, you know, the immediate short term effect of it. But, I think I a lot to them agree with the tariffs, even with the immigration policy that there's gonna be some growing pains and some adjustment, but something definitely needs to be done to improve the situation to get out of where we're at right now," said Spoth.

Now, it remains to be seen how long farmers can stand the heat from Washington and Mother Nature.