Kansas Department of Agriculture

Conflict pits cities seeking reliable water source against farmers clinging to supply

Kansas hemp growers and processors say the new, stricter federal law could derail the entire industry. The state has grown to one of the top five hemp producing states in the country.

Another year of dry conditions could hurt production for farmers growing crops and raising livestock in the region.

The tension over water for Quivira National Wildlife Refuge has lasted for decades. But recently, water users made progress toward using less groundwater in the area that impacts Quivira.

GARDEN CITY, Kansas — Wearing sweaters, small kids (of the goat variety) went springing over hay-lined pens in the Good Karma Micro-Dairy barn in Russell…