Alberta is in for a difficult growing season as the risk of severe drought increases with each passing day. The province relies on melting snow and precipitation for much of its water. With a lacklustre winter in the rearview mirror and a dry spring ahead, water management areas have already been impacted by a shortage of water.  "It will be a rough situation this year," says Dr. Guillaume Lhermie, Director of the Simpson Centre for Food and Agriculture Policy at the University of Calgary. "We already know the forecast is quite depressing." Lhermie notes this severe drought is mostly limited to Alberta. Other large production areas like Europe and the United States, which contribute to the local food supply, will not be affected by what's happening here. That said, the drought can potentially cause some disruption in the global markets. This feature brought to you by CABEF. To read more go to ruralrootscanada.com.