Drought causing concern for Central Valley growers, higher prices for consumers Price inflations will likely be on the rise. Kern County is still in "Exceptional Drought" status according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. But with the county being one of the top vegetable-producing regions in the nation the drought is causing concern for local growers. By: Brianna Willis, 23ABC , Anthony Wright, 23ABC Posted at 8:43 PM, Jul 18, 2021 and last updated 2021-07-18 23:43:36-04 BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) â Looking at the latest drought map, much o...