Kansas NRCS Reports on Historic Drought Conditions

According to precipitation measurements recorded by the US National Weather Service, Wichita Kansas experienced the second driest July - August on record since 1888. Measurements at Eisenhower Airport were just 0.75 inches of rain compared to the average 8.28 inches. This is the driest July- August on record in Wichita since the Dust Bowl of 1936. The Dust Bowl was a period of severe dust storms and soil erosion that devastated the Great Plains during the 1930s.

The Dust Bowl was caused by a combination of prolonged drought, high winds, and exposed topsoil due to tillage. When drought struck in waves throughout the 1930s, high winds stripped away topsoil, creating massive dust storms that destroyed farmland and displaced millions. This national crisis 
prompted urgent federal action and the creation of the Soil Conservation Service in 1935, which eventually became the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Today, NRCS implements practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to combat issues related to severe weather, including droughts.

These efforts include:
• Reduce soil erosion by wind and water by stabilizing topsoil and improving land cover.
• Improve soil health to increase drought resilience and reduce weather volatility.
• Enhance water and air quality by reducing nonpoint source pollution and contamination from agricultural sources.
• Support sustainable operations on cropland, rangeland, pasture, and non-industrial private forest land.

By implementing conservation practices supported by EQIP, farmers can restore degraded soil, prevent future dust events and build climate resilience in agriculture. If you have any concerns on your farm related to soil health or erosion, the first step is to contact your local NRCS office.

An NRCS Conservationist will schedule a visit to your property. They will walk the land with you to discuss your goals and review any resource concerns. Following the site visit, the conservationist will develop a conservation plan that includes a variety of conservation practices or activities to address the resource concerns and management goals discussed.

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.  KACD provides additional information related to technical and financial assistance of both state and federal conservation programs on their website at kacd.net/assistance.