Most Farmers Praying For Rain Except For Farmers Of This Crop

There is one crop that actually does better in these dry conditions and we're not talking about cacti.

Don't let the name fool you, ironically watermelon do great in these dry conditions so some are taking advantage of this summer's harvest and are giving this refreshing fruit to the less fortunate.

Is there anything better than digging into some cold watermelon on a hot July day.

"There's lots of different activities, we're having a great time," said Michelle Shope with Hunger Relief.

Dozens gathered in Scott for the annual watermelon crawl where there are eating competitions, watermelon relay races and no shortage of the plump juicy fruit.

This, the fourth year the 170 acre patch is harvested then everything left over is donated and distributed to food shelters across the entire state because while the typical canned donations are nice.

"It's important we get more fresh, nutritious items into their diet," said Shope.

"It's kinda become a tradition that we look forward to. every year meeting people and helping others," said Brand Chapman the owner of Scott Melons & More.

Chapman said it's been a successful year to help others because while pictures of shriveled up-dry crops have become all too common during this extreme summer, that's not the case here.

"A watermelon needs less water than other plants," said Chapman.

"The dryer weather makes them sweeter, it actually helps the sugar to produce in the watermelons and makes them sweeter," he added.

Maybe the only people in the state of Arkansas, who welcome the drought.

"At this point during harvesting we really don't want to see it, even though we need it desperately," Shope said.

They have donated 200,000 pounds of watermelons the last two years but expect to exceed that this year.