KANSAS IN THE GRIP OF DROUGHT
Despite recent rains, many parts of our state are in extreme or exceptional drought. The Kansas City area usually gets 39 inches of rain a year. We are at 28 inches now and should be at 35 inches at this time of the year. Southern Kansas is at the extreme level (exceptional) drought levels as determined by the Drought Monitor (see map at listed source). Fall and winter usually remain dry—so little relief is expected until spring.
Eighty-five of Kansas 105 counties and more than 47 Missouri counties are eligible for federal assistance because both governors have declared the situation as an emergency. This assistance mainly helps with feed(or its production) to replace dried up grass pastures or failed feed crops. The drought will eventually mean higher prices for beef at the supermarket and higher gas prices because of the use of ethanol as an ingredient in gasoline.
The drought, as it continues, will also lower the size of wheat, corn and cotton crops, further drawdown the underground aquifer (which also waters humans), contribute to soil degradation, increase the possibility of wildfires and affect the economic wellbeing and mental health of ranchers and farmers. What can individuals do to help? Here are a few specific suggestions:
Continue to conserve water with good Earth Steward actions:
Fix leaks, turn off water when shaving & teeth brushing,
Plant native plants (use less water)& install a rain barrel.
Be very mindful of what goes into storm water runoff
Plant trees that act as carbon sinks. (Eases global warming)
Buy locally sourced food & aid food pantries in hard hit areas.
Reach out in support to fellow Episcopalians in distressed areas Support sustainable arg. Practices. (The land Institute)
Donate to organizations that assist ranchers and farmers.
Earth Steward Action: Look over above list and see areas you might help this week.
Sources: https://droughtmonitor.uni.edu/CurrentMap.aspx
https://kcur.org/news/2022-o17/severe-drought-has-triggered-federal-help-in-much-of-kansas-and-missuri , https://landinstitute.org