The drought poses significant risks to the U.S. agriculture industry, particularly in the Midwest and Great Plains, where winter wheat crops are failing. Farmers are facing reduced yields, financial losses, and in some cases, abandoning crops altogether. Livestock operations are also under strain due to poor pasture conditions. In the West, water shortages threaten farms reliant on reservoirs, with small, family-run farms being the most vulnerable. Overuse of groundwater in California could lead to long-term soil degradation and land subsidence. The drought's impact extends to national food supplies, as regions like California produce a significant portion of the country's leafy greens.