The water of life: social and economic change in Haskell County, Kansas

Abstract

Environmental, economic and social conditions have changed drastically throughout Great Plains farming communities. In Southwest Kansas, the Ogallala Aquifer supports extensive agricultural industries and family farms through hyper-extraction of groundwater resources. Capitalistic ventures in farming have led to socials changes like declining community populations, out-migration of youth and family farm transformations. The relationship between environmental change, economic development and social changes is explored through a case study of Haskell County Kansas. Interviews were conducted to understand residents' perspectives of declining environmental resources available to achieve continued economic development by way of family farming. Residents also explain social changes that have resulted from evolving economic conditions and increasing use of groundwater resources.