Recent storms have boosted southern Sierra Nevada snowpacks, raising hopes for many farmers who saw their water deliveries slashed last year.

"The snowpack is the key for us," said Kathi Woodward, an Easton-area farmer and dairy operator. "It means we'll have to pump less ground water, it's better for the environment, and it's a lot less costly for us. All around, it's been great."

Thanks to the snowpack — which already exceeds typical annual peaks — the Fresno Irrigation District will begin delivering water Saturday, two months earlier in the season than last year, officials said this week. A dry year that severely limited Kings River runoff meant farmers received just three months of water deliveries last season. This year, they're expected to get water for six months.

Read the full story on FresnoBee.com.