WAMEGO - The Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office and Wamego Police Department executed a search warrant on Tuesday, June 18th, in the 1000 block of 10th Street in Wamego, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.

Following an investigation into illegal activity in the Wamego area, the search warrant was issued. During the search of the residence, law enforcement found marijuana, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and firearms.

The following individuals were arrested as a result of the search:

Michael Llamas, 42, of Wamego. Arrested for Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine within 1000’ of a school, Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana within 1000’ of a school, Possession of depressants, Possession of opiates, opium or narcotic drugs, Possession of drug paraphernalia, felony, No drug tax stamp, Criminal use of weapons and Child endangerment.

Tara Couture, 41, of Wamego. Arrested for Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine within 1000’ of a school, Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana within 1000’ of a school, Possession of depressants, Possession of opiates, opium or narcotic drugs, Possession of drug paraphernalia, felony, No drug tax stamp, Criminal use of weapons and Child endangerment.

Michael Grant, 41, of Wamego. Arrested for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Child endangerment.

Brandy Mahkuk, 41, of Wamego. Arrested for Child endangerment.

All four remain confined to the Pottawatomie County Jail and are awaiting bond.

WAMEGO - The Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office and Wamego Police Department executed a search warrant on Tuesday, June 18th, in the 1000 block of 10th Street in Wamego, according to a media release from the sheriff's department.Following an investigation into illegal activity in the Wamego area, the search warrant was issued. During the search of the residence, law enforcement found marijuana, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and firearms.The following individuals were arrested as a result of the search:Michael Llamas, 42, of Wamego. Arrested for Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine within 1000’ of a school, Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana within 1000’ of a school, Possession of depressants, Possession of opiates, opium or narcotic drugs, Possession of drug paraphernalia, felony, No drug tax stamp, Criminal use of weapons and Child endangerment.Tara Couture, 41, of Wamego. Arrested for Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine within 1000’ of a school, Possession with intent to distribute Marijuana within 1000’ of a school, Possession of depressants, Possession of opiates, opium or narcotic drugs, Possession of drug paraphernalia, felony, No drug tax stamp, Criminal use of weapons and Child endangerment.Michael Grant, 41, of Wamego. Arrested for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Child endangerment.Brandy Mahkuk, 41, of Wamego. Arrested for Child endangerment.All four remain confined to the Pottawatomie County Jail and are awaiting bond.

Sheriff: Suspects accused of selling drugs near a school

JC Breakfast Optimists Club Secretary / Programs Chairperson

The JC Breakfast Optimist Club met at Jim Clark’s Chevrolet on June 19 to learn more about Junction City Main Street. Terry Butler, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Junction City Main Street was the presenter.

Junction City Main Street, is guided by an active and engaged volunteer board of directors, who seek to make the designated downtown area an economic engine for the region and a location where friends and families can gather for shopping and socializing. The 501c3 organization began operating in the spring of 2021 when the city was selected after a competitive application process as a designated Kansas Main Street. While the focus is on revitalizing and renewing business activity downtown, Junction City Main Street collaborates and partners with all the entities focused on a successful region.

The Mission of Junction Main Street is to strive to preserve and share the city’s history through a dedicated network of community volunteers. It’s driven to ensure Downtown provides a positive experience defined by a modern and robust economy and activities that engage and delight.

Terry told the Optimists that “Junction City is a uniquely American experience with support of the military, law enforcement, diversity, the arts and more. There are 1,600 Main Street communities in the United States and 38 in Kansas.

Flags of Geary County is a project that may benefit multiple local area organizations. For a nominal contribution, JC Main Street will oversee placing and removing a leased 3-foot by 5-foot U.S. flag(s) on a 10 foot pole(s) in the lawn in front of a business or home 5 times a year for at total of 6 holidays. To be a part of this project contact Junction City Main Street at 129 W. 7th Stret in Junction City.”

Some of the events held each year include The Main Street Market, which is held on Saturdays during May through October; Taste of Culture held on the first Friday and Saturday in May; Freedom Fest, which is a 5-day period around Independence Day; Freedom on Wheels held on Saturday during Freedom Fest; Paint the Town Blue held on the Saturday before the JCHS Homecoming; Oktoberfest the first Friday and Saturday in October and Hometown Christmas the first Saturday in December. There are many other events and activities happening downtown every week. To find out more information contact the Geary County CVB or the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library.

Next week the JC Breakfast Optimists will learn about the Geary County Sheriff’s Office and make donations to the Junction City Little Theater Summer Program and Geary County Girl’s softball. Meetings are open to anyone interested in being a “Friend of Youth” and learning more about our community. We gather at 6:30 AM and the meeting begins at 6:50 AM in Jim Clark’s Chevrolet showroom on Golden Belt Boulevard in Junction City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718809310649.jpeg" alt="Pictured left to right are Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President and Terry Butler, Vice President of the Junction City Main Street Board of Directors.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Pictured left to right are Nita Miller, JC Breakfast Optimist Club President and Terry Butler, Vice President of the Junction City Main Street Board of Directors.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By Dr. Ferrell MillerJC Breakfast Optimists Club Secretary / Programs ChairpersonThe JC Breakfast Optimist Club met at Jim Clark’s Chevrolet on June 19 to learn more about Junction City Main Street. Terry Butler, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Junction City Main Street was the presenter.Junction City Main Street, is guided by an active and engaged volunteer board of directors, who seek to make the designated downtown area an economic engine for the region and a location where friends and families can gather for shopping and socializing. The 501c3 organization began operating in the spring of 2021 when the city was selected after a competitive application process as a designated Kansas Main Street. While the focus is on revitalizing and renewing business activity downtown, Junction City Main Street collaborates and partners with all the entities focused on a successful region.The Mission of Junction Main Street is to strive to preserve and share the city’s history through a dedicated network of community volunteers. It’s driven to ensure Downtown provides a positive experience defined by a modern and robust economy and activities that engage and delight.Terry told the Optimists that “Junction City is a uniquely American experience with support of the military, law enforcement, diversity, the arts and more. There are 1,600 Main Street communities in the United States and 38 in Kansas.Flags of Geary County is a project that may benefit multiple local area organizations. For a nominal contribution, JC Main Street will oversee placing and removing a leased 3-foot by 5-foot U.S. flag(s) on a 10 foot pole(s) in the lawn in front of a business or home 5 times a year for at total of 6 holidays. To be a part of this project contact Junction City Main Street at 129 W. 7th Stret in Junction City.”Some of the events held each year include The Main Street Market, which is held on Saturdays during May through October; Taste of Culture held on the first Friday and Saturday in May; Freedom Fest, which is a 5-day period around Independence Day; Freedom on Wheels held on Saturday during Freedom Fest; Paint the Town Blue held on the Saturday before the JCHS Homecoming; Oktoberfest the first Friday and Saturday in October and Hometown Christmas the first Saturday in December. There are many other events and activities happening downtown every week. To find out more information contact the Geary County CVB or the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library.Next week the JC Breakfast Optimists will learn about the Geary County Sheriff’s Office and make donations to the Junction City Little Theater Summer Program and Geary County Girl’s softball. Meetings are open to anyone interested in being a “Friend of Youth” and learning more about our community. We gather at 6:30 AM and the meeting begins at 6:50 AM in Jim Clark’s Chevrolet showroom on Golden Belt Boulevard in Junction City.

Optimists Learn More About Junction City Main Street

The Geary County Sheriff's Department reported that on Tuesday that Deputies arrested Jason Oder of Council Grove, KS at I70 Westbound Mile Marker 295, for alleged Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Burglary, and Criminal Damage to Property.

Deputies also arrested Jason Oder of Council Grove, KS at I70 Westbound Mile Marker 295, on a Saline County District Court warrant charging Failure to Appear.&nbsp;

The Geary County Sheriff's Department reported that on Tuesday that Deputies arrested Jason Oder of Council Grove, KS at I70 Westbound Mile Marker 295, for alleged Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Burglary, and Criminal Damage to Property.Deputies also arrested Jason Oder of Council Grove, KS at I70 Westbound Mile Marker 295, on a Saline County District Court warrant charging Failure to Appear.&nbsp;

Sheriff's Department reports an arrest on multiple charges

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dave Trabert with the Kansas Policy Institute acknowledges the work the legislature did in the special session Tuesday, but there is more that could have been done.

"It cuts it to two rates, it increases, there's an amount of, it's called a deduction exemption, but basically it exempts the first $9,000 for single filers and $18,000 family from being taxed," Trabert said.&nbsp; "That's how you prevent people that were in the bottom bracket from having a tax increase. Everybody gets a tax cut, it's not a great big tax cut, it's not what the economy needed, but it's better than nothing. It also exempts social security income from taxation, and there is a small property tax benefit in that instead of about $42,000 being exempt from the 20 mills, it goes up to $75,000."

Trabert said this kind of tax cut doesn't really do much to help the broader economy.

"Kansas is in its fifth straight decade of economic stagnation," Trabert said. "We keep falling farther and farther behind the nation in job growth and economic activity. And just to put that in perspective, if we had kept up with the national average of job growth since 1979, we'd have about 450,000 more jobs here today. It's a big difference trailing this national average and we keep getting worse. So it's not just taxes, but taxes are a big piece. What we need to do, the legislature, is look at the reasons why we are so uncompetitive, and that's going to come down to three main things. It's taxes, it's utility rates, and it's regulatory issues. You have to start removing those negatives in order to stop the transition."

One area that the state is struggling with right now is property taxes going up. It happens generally with valuation increases. There is a way to fix that, but it wasn't addressed Tuesday.

"In 2023, the Senate passed a constitutional amendment provision that would limit the annual valuation increase to 4%, and that needs to be done," Trabert said. "There was a hearing yesterday in the Senate, or on Monday rather, but they wouldn't take a floor vote, and the House wouldn't touch it. I don't know why, because it is something that taxpayers really need, and we have to keep coming back and pushing for that."

There is an election cycle for both the House and Senate before they return in January, so it remains to be seen what the makeup of the 2025 legislature will be and whether any further tax reductions can happen.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605625550931.png" alt="Dave Trabert, CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute- Photo Courtesy Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Dave Trabert, CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute- Photo Courtesy Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dave Trabert with the Kansas Policy Institute acknowledges the work the legislature did in the special session Tuesday, but there is more that could have been done."It cuts it to two rates, it increases, there's an amount of, it's called a deduction exemption, but basically it exempts the first $9,000 for single filers and $18,000 family from being taxed," Trabert said.&nbsp; "That's how you prevent people that were in the bottom bracket from having a tax increase. Everybody gets a tax cut, it's not a great big tax cut, it's not what the economy needed, but it's better than nothing. It also exempts social security income from taxation, and there is a small property tax benefit in that instead of about $42,000 being exempt from the 20 mills, it goes up to $75,000."Trabert said this kind of tax cut doesn't really do much to help the broader economy."Kansas is in its fifth straight decade of economic stagnation," Trabert said. "We keep falling farther and farther behind the nation in job growth and economic activity. And just to put that in perspective, if we had kept up with the national average of job growth since 1979, we'd have about 450,000 more jobs here today. It's a big difference trailing this national average and we keep getting worse. So it's not just taxes, but taxes are a big piece. What we need to do, the legislature, is look at the reasons why we are so uncompetitive, and that's going to come down to three main things. It's taxes, it's utility rates, and it's regulatory issues. You have to start removing those negatives in order to stop the transition."One area that the state is struggling with right now is property taxes going up. It happens generally with valuation increases. There is a way to fix that, but it wasn't addressed Tuesday."In 2023, the Senate passed a constitutional amendment provision that would limit the annual valuation increase to 4%, and that needs to be done," Trabert said. "There was a hearing yesterday in the Senate, or on Monday rather, but they wouldn't take a floor vote, and the House wouldn't touch it. I don't know why, because it is something that taxpayers really need, and we have to keep coming back and pushing for that."There is an election cycle for both the House and Senate before they return in January, so it remains to be seen what the makeup of the 2025 legislature will be and whether any further tax reductions can happen.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Trabert: Tax bill 'better than nothing'

JASPER COUNTY —A Geary County man was injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Monday in Jasper County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Ford Expedition driven by William W. Miller, 46, Pawnee, was northbound on Interstate 49 two and one half miles north of Carthage.

The Ford rear-ended the towed unit of a 2018 Ram 3500 driven by Christina A. Morgan, 43, Hico, Texas. After impact the Ford traveled off the road and struck a fence.

EMS transported Miller, Morgan and a passenger in the Ram Brian C. Adams, 25, 25, Hico, Texas, to Mercy Hospital in Joplin.&nbsp; Miller was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

JASPER COUNTY —A Geary County man was injured in an accident just before 5:30p.m. Monday in Jasper County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Ford Expedition driven by William W. Miller, 46, Pawnee, was northbound on Interstate 49 two and one half miles north of Carthage.The Ford rear-ended the towed unit of a 2018 Ram 3500 driven by Christina A. Morgan, 43, Hico, Texas. After impact the Ford traveled off the road and struck a fence.EMS transported Miller, Morgan and a passenger in the Ram Brian C. Adams, 25, 25, Hico, Texas, to Mercy Hospital in Joplin.&nbsp; Miller was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Geary Co. man hospitalized after rear-end crash

This is day 5 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

Kansas wheat producers can’t seem to catch a break in the weather, kicking up swirling, dust clouds as they raced to cut wheat ahead of heavy thunderstorms and hail on Tuesday, June 18. Harvest is now progressing into areas of south central Kansas that missed the rains which benefited producers in other parts of the state — a reminder that not all are feeling a sense of recovery this season.&nbsp;

Moisture in the air had combines running slower on Tuesday near Larned, but the day before the Pawnee County Coop Association took in about 100,000 bushels, according to Kim Barnes, interim general manager. This year’s wheat crop suffered — hit by drought and Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus. As a result, yields are down at 15 to 40 bushels per acre, test weights are averaging 56 pounds per bushel and quality is lacking.&nbsp;

This is his 55th wheat harvest and Barnes said he has seen it all. This harvest is the fourth in a row to suffer from prolonged drought conditions — not breaking out of drought status for more than three days in a row for all that time.&nbsp;

“Out of the 55 years, this is the next to the lowest year,” he said. “I’ve never seen production this bad than the last couple of years.”&nbsp;

Last year, the coop took in 450,000 bushels, and as of Monday, June 17, Barnes reported the company has only taken in 341,000 bushels so far. While it’s on track to be more than last year, it’s a far cry from the coop’s high of 4 million bushels in 2016.&nbsp;

“We were hoping that we would see a million bushels this year, but now we’re just hoping we had more than last year,” he said.&nbsp;

Adding insult to injury, the wheat market has lost $1 per bushel compared to two or three weeks ago and early export demand was gobbled up by the Texas wheat crop. Even after starting 10 days early, Barnes noted producers will be cutting until the end of June, especially those who have to take extra time to control aggressive cinch bugs driven out of harvest fields into newly planted milo fields.&nbsp;

In eastern Kansas, Jesse Muller is having more harvest luck with a better crop in Montgomery County compared to the last few years. The operation planted solely WestBred varieties this year and Muller reported yields are averaging 40 to 70 bushels per acre with test weights averaging 62 pounds per bushel. He takes all of his wheat to the elevator in Liberty, which takes both hard and soft wheat.

“Compared to last year, everyone is seeing better than expected yields with quality staying steady,” Muller said. “Part of it comes from having a drier fall and a wet spring.”

For the entire county, Muller noted his neighbors have had some loss from both some freeze damage over the winter and hail damage from storms that rolled in the first part of June.

Harvest came later than anticipated, not due to a delay in ripening, but due to rains that kept them out of the fields. With the added moisture, Muller and his neighbors are fighting more weeds the later they stay in the fields.

Muller went through the Kansas Wheat Leadership Program in 2023, which gave him appreciation of the time it takes to get wheat genetics to the farmers’ fields.

“It’s crazy to think about the time it takes from an initial cross to getting planted in farmers’ fields and harvested,” Muller said. “The leadership program opened my eyes to everything within the industry that I can take home and can put into perspective on my operation and be thankful for what they are doing up there.”

Harvest is about halfway complete for Knopf Farms near Gypsum in Saline County after starting cutting on June 11. While there wasn’t much spring moisture, yields are better than expected, according to Justin Knopf, who said the cool, nighttime temperatures in May helped offset that lack of rainfall.

Yields are averaging 45 to 60 bushels per acre, but are wide-ranging from the 30s to 80s, depending on moisture and hail damage. He reported they are seeing good grain quality with test weights ranging from 59 to 62 pounds per bushel, but decreasing as harvest progresses. Excellent varieties include KS Providence, SY Monument and Rock Star.

While the farm will see “typical” yield averages, this is far from an average year with far more variability, due to the lack of spring rains, hail damage, freeze impacts and variety maturity. Knopf noted he was glad he applied fungicide at flag leaf because it was holding the stripe rust at bay.

Wheat harvest also started about 10 days early in McPherson County, where grower Derek Sawyer spoke with Slade Wiley with the Kansas Ag Network from the field on Tuesday, June 18. It could have been earlier, but the first good rain since January hit right when harvest should have started.&nbsp;

“It’s kind of ironic that we’re fighting mud when the yields are really depressed by drought,” Sawyer told the broadcaster. “But that’s the way it goes here.”

Now that he’s in the combine cab, Sawyer expects to finish up harvest by the end of the week — if there are no more rain delays. Overall, the crop appears to be of good quality with test weights hanging in about 60 pounds per bushel.

“The quality of the crop looks excellent; the yields are better than we expected,” he noted. “It’s a nice surprise to get out here and get some wheat rolling in the bin that we didn’t expect.”

Breaking down the harvest results further, however, reveals a spotty, variable crop within individual fields. Sawyer noted that going from 60-bushel wheat down to 10-bushel wheat within a single step, for no obvious rhyme or reason, is giving combine operators extra headaches as they work to set their machines and keep their headers clean.&nbsp;

Sawyer added that he’s reflecting on the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Turkey Red wheat in Kansas — noting that there’s no way the wheat of yesterday would have endured and made this year’s yields without the aid of the wheat breeding pipeline improving on Turkey Red’s foundation.&nbsp;

“You realize in years like this the impact of the research and the improvements we have done year after year,” he said. “There needs to be a lot of credit for the scientists and the breeders of wheat in Kansas because this year’s weather conditions shouldn’t have given us the yield that we’re getting.”

Rain delays will keep most of the state out of the field for the next couple of days. Stay tuned for a special edition of the Kansas Wheat harvest report focused on soft wheat production on Thursday.

The 2024 Harvest Reports are brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates, use&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wheatharvest24&amp;src=typed_query&amp;f=live" target="_blank">#wheatharvest24</a>&nbsp;on social media.&nbsp;Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansaswheat" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kswheat" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KansasWheat" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718787978535.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>JULIA DEBES Kansas WheatThis is day 5 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.Kansas wheat producers can’t seem to catch a break in the weather, kicking up swirling, dust clouds as they raced to cut wheat ahead of heavy thunderstorms and hail on Tuesday, June 18. Harvest is now progressing into areas of south central Kansas that missed the rains which benefited producers in other parts of the state — a reminder that not all are feeling a sense of recovery this season.&nbsp;Moisture in the air had combines running slower on Tuesday near Larned, but the day before the Pawnee County Coop Association took in about 100,000 bushels, according to Kim Barnes, interim general manager. This year’s wheat crop suffered — hit by drought and Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus. As a result, yields are down at 15 to 40 bushels per acre, test weights are averaging 56 pounds per bushel and quality is lacking.&nbsp;This is his 55th wheat harvest and Barnes said he has seen it all. This harvest is the fourth in a row to suffer from prolonged drought conditions — not breaking out of drought status for more than three days in a row for all that time.&nbsp;“Out of the 55 years, this is the next to the lowest year,” he said. “I’ve never seen production this bad than the last couple of years.”&nbsp;Last year, the coop took in 450,000 bushels, and as of Monday, June 17, Barnes reported the company has only taken in 341,000 bushels so far. While it’s on track to be more than last year, it’s a far cry from the coop’s high of 4 million bushels in 2016.&nbsp;“We were hoping that we would see a million bushels this year, but now we’re just hoping we had more than last year,” he said.&nbsp;Adding insult to injury, the wheat market has lost $1 per bushel compared to two or three weeks ago and early export demand was gobbled up by the Texas wheat crop. Even after starting 10 days early, Barnes noted producers will be cutting until the end of June, especially those who have to take extra time to control aggressive cinch bugs driven out of harvest fields into newly planted milo fields.&nbsp;In eastern Kansas, Jesse Muller is having more harvest luck with a better crop in Montgomery County compared to the last few years. The operation planted solely WestBred varieties this year and Muller reported yields are averaging 40 to 70 bushels per acre with test weights averaging 62 pounds per bushel. He takes all of his wheat to the elevator in Liberty, which takes both hard and soft wheat.“Compared to last year, everyone is seeing better than expected yields with quality staying steady,” Muller said. “Part of it comes from having a drier fall and a wet spring.”For the entire county, Muller noted his neighbors have had some loss from both some freeze damage over the winter and hail damage from storms that rolled in the first part of June.Harvest came later than anticipated, not due to a delay in ripening, but due to rains that kept them out of the fields. With the added moisture, Muller and his neighbors are fighting more weeds the later they stay in the fields.Muller went through the Kansas Wheat Leadership Program in 2023, which gave him appreciation of the time it takes to get wheat genetics to the farmers’ fields.“It’s crazy to think about the time it takes from an initial cross to getting planted in farmers’ fields and harvested,” Muller said. “The leadership program opened my eyes to everything within the industry that I can take home and can put into perspective on my operation and be thankful for what they are doing up there.”Harvest is about halfway complete for Knopf Farms near Gypsum in Saline County after starting cutting on June 11. While there wasn’t much spring moisture, yields are better than expected, according to Justin Knopf, who said the cool, nighttime temperatures in May helped offset that lack of rainfall.Yields are averaging 45 to 60 bushels per acre, but are wide-ranging from the 30s to 80s, depending on moisture and hail damage. He reported they are seeing good grain quality with test weights ranging from 59 to 62 pounds per bushel, but decreasing as harvest progresses. Excellent varieties include KS Providence, SY Monument and Rock Star.While the farm will see “typical” yield averages, this is far from an average year with far more variability, due to the lack of spring rains, hail damage, freeze impacts and variety maturity. Knopf noted he was glad he applied fungicide at flag leaf because it was holding the stripe rust at bay.Wheat harvest also started about 10 days early in McPherson County, where grower Derek Sawyer spoke with Slade Wiley with the Kansas Ag Network from the field on Tuesday, June 18. It could have been earlier, but the first good rain since January hit right when harvest should have started.&nbsp;“It’s kind of ironic that we’re fighting mud when the yields are really depressed by drought,” Sawyer told the broadcaster. “But that’s the way it goes here.”Now that he’s in the combine cab, Sawyer expects to finish up harvest by the end of the week — if there are no more rain delays. Overall, the crop appears to be of good quality with test weights hanging in about 60 pounds per bushel.“The quality of the crop looks excellent; the yields are better than we expected,” he noted. “It’s a nice surprise to get out here and get some wheat rolling in the bin that we didn’t expect.”Breaking down the harvest results further, however, reveals a spotty, variable crop within individual fields. Sawyer noted that going from 60-bushel wheat down to 10-bushel wheat within a single step, for no obvious rhyme or reason, is giving combine operators extra headaches as they work to set their machines and keep their headers clean.&nbsp;Sawyer added that he’s reflecting on the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Turkey Red wheat in Kansas — noting that there’s no way the wheat of yesterday would have endured and made this year’s yields without the aid of the wheat breeding pipeline improving on Turkey Red’s foundation.&nbsp;“You realize in years like this the impact of the research and the improvements we have done year after year,” he said. “There needs to be a lot of credit for the scientists and the breeders of wheat in Kansas because this year’s weather conditions shouldn’t have given us the yield that we’re getting.”Rain delays will keep most of the state out of the field for the next couple of days. Stay tuned for a special edition of the Kansas Wheat harvest report focused on soft wheat production on Thursday.The 2024 Harvest Reports are brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council. To follow along with harvest updates, use&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wheatharvest24&amp;src=typed_query&amp;f=live" target="_blank">#wheatharvest24</a>&nbsp;on social media.&nbsp;Tag us at @kansaswheat on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansaswheat" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kswheat" target="_blank">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KansasWheat" target="_blank">Twitter</a>&nbsp;to share your harvest story and photos.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Day 5, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report 2024

The&nbsp; first loads of wheat from the 2024 harvest arrived at Geary Grain Elevator late last week. General Manager Andrew Haynes noted that the arrival of more loads picked up on Monday and Tuesday.

Test weights have been running in the 56 to 62 average range.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718740870171.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The&nbsp; first loads of wheat from the 2024 harvest arrived at Geary Grain Elevator late last week. General Manager Andrew Haynes noted that the arrival of more loads picked up on Monday and Tuesday.Test weights have been running in the 56 to 62 average range.( Cover photo - Pixabay )

Local Wheat harvest is under way

Geary County Historical Society Executive Director / Curator

The Geary County Historical Society will host Memories at the Museum: Secondary Education this Saturday, June 22nd&nbsp;at 3pm. The focus for this month’s program will be a continuation of their ongoing educators series with a special focus on secondary education teachers and administration who have worked in the Geary County school system. All past and present school personnel are encouraged to come share their stories about working in USD475.

Memories at the Museum is an oral history program with the goal of recording and preserving stories to help future historians.

Memories at the Museum: Secondary Education was originally scheduled for April but was postponed due to storms. Questions regarding the upcoming program, or other Memories at the Museum programs can be directed to Heather at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gearyhistory@gmail.com">gearyhistory@gmail.com</a>.

By Heather HagedornGeary County Historical Society Executive Director / CuratorThe Geary County Historical Society will host Memories at the Museum: Secondary Education this Saturday, June 22nd&nbsp;at 3pm. The focus for this month’s program will be a continuation of their ongoing educators series with a special focus on secondary education teachers and administration who have worked in the Geary County school system. All past and present school personnel are encouraged to come share their stories about working in USD475.Memories at the Museum is an oral history program with the goal of recording and preserving stories to help future historians.Memories at the Museum: Secondary Education was originally scheduled for April but was postponed due to storms. Questions regarding the upcoming program, or other Memories at the Museum programs can be directed to Heather at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gearyhistory@gmail.com">gearyhistory@gmail.com</a>.

Educators will share their stories

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

James Blakenber, Taxation-Drugs, No drug tax stamp payment for marijuana or controlled substance, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Distribute marijuana, 450 grams&lt;30 kilograms, arrested 06/14

Patricia Purcell, Failure to appear, arrested 06/14

Trey Campbell, Probation violation, arrested 06/14

David Perez, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 06/15

John Hurley, Failure to appear, arrested 06/15

Paul Angle,&nbsp;DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 06/15

Freddie Lewis, Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 06/15

Nicholas Williams, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Driving while suspended, arrested 06/15

Letha Smith, Driving while license cancelled, suspended, or revoked, arrested 06/16

Gerardo Bautista Lugo, Failure to appear, arrested 06/16

Christopher Hansen, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 06/17

Adam Parson, Cancelled/suspended/revoked drivers license, arrested 06/17

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718737663067.jpeg" alt="Dmarco Rabe, Failure to appear, arrested 06/14" />
 <figcaption>Dmarco Rabe, Failure to appear, arrested 06/14</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718737698708.jpeg" alt="Jonathan Stevens, Ignition interlock device, Operate a car without required device, Interference with LEO, Falsely report information intending to obstruct, Probation violation, Failure to appear, arrested 06/14" />
 <figcaption>Jonathan Stevens, Ignition interlock device, Operate a car without required device, Interference with LEO, Falsely report information intending to obstruct, Probation violation, Failure to appear, arrested 06/14</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718737815163.jpeg" alt="Michael Boykin, Burglary, Arson, arrested 06/16" />
 <figcaption>Michael Boykin, Burglary, Arson, arrested 06/16</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718737853614.jpeg" alt="JC Hunt, Arrest by LEO, Warrant arrest, arrested 06/16" />
 <figcaption>JC Hunt, Arrest by LEO, Warrant arrest, arrested 06/16</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1718737892400.jpeg" alt="Jorge Rosario, Failure to appear (Two counts), arrested 06/17" />
 <figcaption>Jorge Rosario, Failure to appear (Two counts), arrested 06/17</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.James Blakenber, Taxation-Drugs, No drug tax stamp payment for marijuana or controlled substance, Possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance, Distribute marijuana, 450 grams&lt;30 kilograms, arrested 06/14Patricia Purcell, Failure to appear, arrested 06/14Trey Campbell, Probation violation, arrested 06/14David Perez, DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 06/15John Hurley, Failure to appear, arrested 06/15Paul Angle,&nbsp;DUI-Liquor/Drugs, arrested 06/15Freddie Lewis, Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 06/15Nicholas Williams, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Possession of controlled substance, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Driving while suspended, arrested 06/15Letha Smith, Driving while license cancelled, suspended, or revoked, arrested 06/16Gerardo Bautista Lugo, Failure to appear, arrested 06/16Christopher Hansen, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 06/17Adam Parson, Cancelled/suspended/revoked drivers license, arrested 06/17Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Geary County Booking Photos June 15-17

On Thursday, 6/20/24 Geary County Public Works crews will be performing a culvert replacement project on Clarks Creek Rd between I-70 and Hwy K-57. During this project, Clarks Creek Rd approximately 2.4 miles south of I-70 (Exit 303) and approximately 1.3 miles north of Hwy K-57 will be closed to thru traffic. This project is anticipated to take one (1) day allowing for reopening of Clarks Creek Rd to unrestricted traffic on Friday.

Geary County Public Works releaseOn Thursday, 6/20/24 Geary County Public Works crews will be performing a culvert replacement project on Clarks Creek Rd between I-70 and Hwy K-57. During this project, Clarks Creek Rd approximately 2.4 miles south of I-70 (Exit 303) and approximately 1.3 miles north of Hwy K-57 will be closed to thru traffic. This project is anticipated to take one (1) day allowing for reopening of Clarks Creek Rd to unrestricted traffic on Friday.

Culvert replacement project planned on Clarks Creek Road

1st&nbsp; Infantry Division troop numbers were reviewed during the weekly Geary County Commission meeting. Commissioner Keith Ascher passed along information presented by Fort Riley Garrison during a recent Military Affairs Council meeting.

There are approximately 2,400 Big Red One troops deployed, 11,000 currently on post, the Combat Aviation Brigade will return home in August, and there will be a full contingent on post until mid 2025.

1st&nbsp; Infantry Division troop numbers were reviewed during the weekly Geary County Commission meeting. Commissioner Keith Ascher passed along information presented by Fort Riley Garrison during a recent Military Affairs Council meeting.There are approximately 2,400 Big Red One troops deployed, 11,000 currently on post, the Combat Aviation Brigade will return home in August, and there will be a full contingent on post until mid 2025.

Military numbers are reported at the Geary County Commission meeting

There will be no trash/garbage pick-up by the City of Junction City on Wednesday, June 19th due to the Juneteenth Holiday.

However, trash/garbage pick-up will be picked up the next work day as follows:

Wednesday’s pickup day will be Thursday, June 20th

Thursday’s pickup day will be Friday, June 21st

Friday’s pickup day will be Saturday, June 22nd

In order to ensure pick-up, your trash should be set out by 6 AM, Thursday morning.

The Junction City Public Works Department provided the information.

There will be no trash/garbage pick-up by the City of Junction City on Wednesday, June 19th due to the Juneteenth Holiday.However, trash/garbage pick-up will be picked up the next work day as follows:Wednesday’s pickup day will be Thursday, June 20thThursday’s pickup day will be Friday, June 21stFriday’s pickup day will be Saturday, June 22ndIn order to ensure pick-up, your trash should be set out by 6 AM, Thursday morning.The Junction City Public Works Department provided the information.

Junction City sanitation schedule

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of aggravated burglary and violation of a court order, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The incident occurred just after 12:15a.m. Tuesday, in the 200 block of 5th Street in Manhattan. 

A 67-year-old man and a 21-year-old man reported a woman known to the them attempted to enter their residence.

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of aggravated burglary and violation of a court order, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The incident occurred just after 12:15a.m. Tuesday, in the 200 block of 5th Street in Manhattan. A 67-year-old man and a 21-year-old man reported a woman known to the them attempted to enter their residence.Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD investigating report of home burglary in Manhattan

USD 475 has issued a reminder that there will not be any activities or athletics at USD 475 facilities on Wednesday, June 19,&nbsp; due to the Juneteenth holiday celebration.. Organized events should not be held by staff.

USD 475 has issued a reminder that there will not be any activities or athletics at USD 475 facilities on Wednesday, June 19,&nbsp; due to the Juneteenth holiday celebration.. Organized events should not be held by staff.

No activities or athletics in USD 475 facilities Wednesday

After decades of local inaction, Kansas lawmakers are pushing for big changes in irrigation.

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/kevinhardy/">KEVIN HARDY</a> Kansas Reflector

This story, the second in an occasional series about water challenges facing the American heartland, is a partnership between Kansas Reflector and Stateline. Read the first story&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/01/29/agriculture-built-these-high-plains-towns-now-it-might-run-them-dry/">here</a>.

JETMORE, Kan. — An inch or two of corn peeks out of the dirt, just enough to reveal long rows forming over the horizon.

Sprinkler engines roar as they force water from underground to pour life into dusty fields.

Thunder cracks. The wind whips up dirt as a trail of dark storms looms. The crashing hot and cold fronts would probably set off tornado sirens —&nbsp;if there were any in this remote part of the state.

It’s spring in southwest Kansas, a hub for the nation’s crop, dairy and beef industries.

As the familiar seasonal rhythm plays out, some farmers are bracing for major changes in how they use the long-depleting&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/tag/ogallala-aquifer/">Ogallala Aquifer</a>. The nation’s largest underground store of fresh water, the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/01/29/agriculture-built-these-high-plains-towns-now-it-might-run-them-dry/">Ogallala transformed this arid region</a>&nbsp;into an agricultural powerhouse.

After 50 years of studies, discussions and hand-wringing about the aquifer’s decline, the state is demanding that local groundwater managers finally enforce conservation. But in this region where water is everything, they’ll have to overcome entrenched attitudes and practices that led to decades of overpumping.

“It scares the hell out of me,” farmer Hugh Brownlee said at a recent public meeting in the district on the changes to come.

Last year, Kansas lawmakers passed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2279/">legislation</a>&nbsp;squarely targeting the Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District, which spans a dozen counties. Unlike the two other Kansas districts that sit atop the crucial aquifer, this one has done little to enact formal conservation programs that could help prolong the life of the aquifer. The new law aims to force action.

The district has come under fire from legislators increasingly incensed by its substantial travel expenses, its lack of formal conservation policies and its alienation of farmers who are trying to save water. At a hearing in February on a bill meant to help farmers in one county leave the district, a Kansas House member floated the idea of doing away with the organization, also known as Groundwater Management District 3, altogether.

“Maybe that’s something that we need to consider — just dissolve GMD 3 so that these other boards that are doing good work are not affected,” said state Rep. Cyndi Howerton, a Republican from Wichita.

District leaders think the criticism is unfair. But even they acknowledge that painful change is brewing. Change that will force farmers to cut back.

Clay Scott, a farmer and rancher who has served on the district’s board for more than two decades, said most local farmers are ready to change. That’s partly because they don’t want to give the state a reason to impose its own restrictions, he said.

Scott said the problem of overuse has been generations in the making and can’t be reversed overnight.

“It’s going to take us time to turn this ship around,” he said.

But critics say the organization has already had plenty of time. Decades.

“My biggest disappointment with GMD 3 is they’ve had 50 years to build a consensus on conservation and they failed to do it,” said Frank Mercurio, who works for a dairy with facilities across southwest Kansas and southeast Colorado.

The discussions here mirror those occurring not just across the eight Ogallala states (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming) but also across the country. The dual threat of climate change and overpumping of groundwater threatens farming and agricultural communities coast to coast.

Outside the town of Syracuse, Kansas, Brownlee runs a small farm with dryland and irrigated fields divided by a curvy two-lane blacktop. More than 200 years ago, Mexican and American traders following the Santa Fe Trail crossed this part of the plains on ox-pulled wagons.

Brownlee, who farms part time and drives a propane truck, said he understands the shrinking water supply. But he thinks the state is to blame — not farmers. Decades ago, Kansas officials issued more water rights than the aquifer can sustain.

The state should fix that, rather than punishing farmers with across-the-board cuts, he said.

“They want to be able to flip the switch and just stop it,” Brownlee said. “That’s not going to do anybody no good.”

‘Should have been done 40 years ago’&nbsp;

In a community center on Main Street in Lakin, Kansas, a few dozen farmers in feed and seed hats last month pulled folding chairs off a big metal rack.

Just below the stained drop ceiling panels, a tilted projector shone onto a bare beige wall the district’s plans to comply with the new law. The first step: identifying priority areas for its conservation efforts.

An expert from the Kansas Geological Survey pointed to maps of the district. Blood red blots showed where aquifer conditions were most severe. In some parts of the district, the aquifer is already all but gone. Other areas have more than 60 years of water left even if they don’t cut back their usage.

But at this and a series of meetings across southwest Kansas, district leaders outlined plans to declare its entire territory a priority area. Some critics viewed the move as a stall tactic, but district leaders say it leaves all options available to them. The district in 2026 will have to present an action plan, which it says will reflect the huge variations in aquifer conditions.

Kansas’ chief engineer, Earl Lewis, who will evaluate the board’s plan and future conservation efforts, said the board likely can designate the whole region a priority, though he’s not sure it meets “the spirit” of the law.

In the series of meetings, farmers ran through familiar questions, concerns and excuses.

What about the farms pumping the aquifer down in Oklahoma?

What about all the new dairies and feedlots coming in?

Crop irrigation accounts for 85% of all water use in Kansas —&nbsp;even more in western Kansas.

The group also discussed the possibility of paying growers to shut down their wells.

But one farmer said he can’t farm his sandy soil without irrigation. After the meeting, he declined to be named, saying he could get in big trouble for sharing his real feelings.

Local farmer Steve Sterling interjected at the first meeting in Garden City to say conservation planning “should have been done 40 years ago.” Some of his neighbors abandoned their farm when he was 12, he said. They were out of water.

Katie Durham, who manages Groundwater Management District 1 in western Kansas, drove south to attend some of the meetings in GMD 3. She said she hoped the farmers in attendance understood that change is coming under the new law.

“This is happening,” Durham said. “I just hope that urgency and sense of wanting to be involved and kind of taking ownership of the future on a local level — I just hope people are understanding that.”

Between the 1950s and the 1970s, Kansas created the fundamental problem that allows aquifer depletion by granting farmers the right to pump more water out of the aquifer each year than returns to it via rainfall. But the state has largely left it up to locals to find solutions to the problem.

The state charged&nbsp;the&nbsp;three groundwater management districts&nbsp;over the Ogallala&nbsp;with protecting both the agricultural economy and aquifer water. But their five-decade histories primarily have been marked by further decline of the Ogallala Aquifer. Two districts have made progress in recent years and helped farmers to slow, or even stop, the decline.

Burke Griggs, a water attorney who previously worked for the state, argues the southwest Kansas district isn’t doing much compared with the other two.

“The law is the same. The regs are basically the same,” he said. “This is a cultural thing.”

He argues the state should take a firmer stance in aquifer management.

“I think it’s time for a reckoning,” Griggs said.

District officials say farmers in GMD 3 have used 13% less water in the past 10 years compared with the decade before. But it’s unclear how much of that change is intentional — from conservation — or a reflection of the limited water available in the declining aquifer.

Though its territory is twice the size of the other two districts’ combined, the southwest Kansas district hasn’t accomplished as much. The other districts have offered financial assistance to farmers investing in water-efficient irrigation systems and championed large-scale restrictions on pumping.

GMD 3 has done none of that. Between 2010 and 2022, financial records show, the district spent, on average, only 13% of the money it budgeted for conservation. In most years, it didn’t&nbsp;spend anything on conservation.

Mark Rude, who has been the organization’s executive director for nearly two decades, said the district’s entire budget supports water conservation. The district takes in more than $1 million per year and spends 70% of that on salaries and benefits, according to financial documents received through a records request. The rest goes largely to office equipment, travel and other administrative costs.

“I mean, ultimately, that’s why we’re here,” Rude said, “and if you look at the $600,000-plus we (spend) on staff, why is the staff here?”

This summer, the district board will consider a 38% increase in the fee it imposes on water users, which is expected to raise more than $200,000 each year. Rude said that money would primarily be used to hire two new employees to help with grant projects offering technical assistance to farmers trying to conserve water.

Between 2010 and 2022, GMD 3 spent about four times as much on travel for Rude and staff as on water conservation. On average, the GMD pays&nbsp;more than $20,000 each year for Rude’s travel — plus another $20,000 for the rest of its staff members — compared with $10,000 for water conservation.

Last year, the district changed its financial statements, reporting fewer, broader categories. The new financial structure did not distinguish travel costs from other expenses.

Rude defends the spending by saying it’s necessary to build the partnerships and relationships needed to achieve district goals, including its aim of piping in water from out of state.

“How else do you do it?” Rude said. “Really, please show us: How else do you do it?”

Last year, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle questioned Rude during a committee hearing on why the district wasn’t doing more to conserve groundwater.

State Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, an Overland Park Democrat, said during a legislative hearing that the district had 50 years to act but made no progress on addressing aquifer decline.

“The issue is only becoming more urgent,” Vaughn said, “and I am discouraged to see that there aren’t any real efforts right now to get the ball rolling and coming up with a long-term plan.”

The district’s lack of action also has drawn the attention of farmers who mounted a campaign to secede.

In 2022, Hamilton County farmers submitted a petition to withdraw from the groundwater district.

They characterized the organization as a bureaucratic mess with a ballooning budget that spends little on conservation, obstructs programs meant to slow groundwater decline and provides no benefits for dryland farmers who also pay assessments.

The petition criticized groundwater district leaders’ fixation on building an aqueduct across the state. The organization twice has&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/21/officials-plan-to-truck-6000-gallons-of-water-from-missouri-river-across-kansas/">trucked water 400 miles</a>&nbsp;from the Missouri River to western Kansas in an effort to sell the idea.

In their petition, Hamilton County farmers said the project only managed to move and dump water with “no tangible benefit to anyone.”

Richard Geven, owner of the 10,000-head Southwest Plains Dairy, was among those who signed the petition to leave.

Geven, a native of the Netherlands who has been farming here for nearly 20 years, said he sees little reason for the groundwater district. When he has issues with his wells or needs clarity on water rights, he works with state regulators.

But he pays assessments every year to the district.

“We don’t know what the purpose is,” he said. “We think, ‘What are they doing? We don’t need them.’"

Across most of the Ogallala states, governments have preferred to encourage voluntary conservation rather than mandating steep cutbacks, said Kevin Wagner, director of the Oklahoma Water Resource Center at Oklahoma State University.

Oklahoma allows farmers to use up to 2 feet of water each year on every acre they own. But usage is not monitored. Farmers report annual estimates of water usage.

And the state has not banned the drilling of new irrigation wells.

Researchers have closely monitored the decline of the aquifer across the Oklahoma Panhandle — it’s dropping about half a foot per year, he said.

But there’s no telling how much individual farmers are using or conserving.

“When I talk to producers in Oklahoma, there’s a lot of feeling that Oklahoma producers are doing just as good at conserving as their neighbors in Texas and in Kansas,” Wagner said. “And honestly there’s no data out there right now.”

Oklahoma state Rep. Carl Newton, a Republican, introduced legislation this year that would require irrigators to meter their water use.

The measure passed, but amid steep opposition from agriculture trade groups, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed it. He called it government overreach and a violation of private property rights.

Newton said he plans to reintroduce the bill, which he described as “a starting point” for conservation efforts.

“You’ve got to find out where your problem is to get an idea of where to go,” he said. “That was my whole goal.”

Kansas started requiring irrigators to install meters and report water usage in the early 1990s.

Formal conservation efforts have been underway in other parts of the region for years.

In Nebraska’s Republican River Basin, groundwater regulators have helped producers install soil moisture probes and more accurate meters that use telemetry to conserve. And Colorado offers a master irrigator course to help farmers grow crops more efficiently.

In Wichita County, Kansas, just beyond the bounds of GMD 3, farmers created a conservation program that launched in 2021. Called a local enhanced management area, farmers committed to cutting water use by at least 25%.