The operator of White Energy Plant in Russell participated in a recent meeting Kansas Governor Sam Brownback convened of Kansas leaders to discuss the intensifying toll the drought is taking on Kansas and to identify plans to help Kansans recover from the historic drought.

Drought.ks.gov, an online resource to provide drought information for all Kansans has been launched by the governor’s office.

Developed to provide easy access to specific drought information, the site includes links to state and federal resources for farmers and ranchers, small businesses, Kansans, and cities and counties.

“From communities limiting water usage to farmers and ranchers in dire need of water for their crops, forage and livestock to businesses changing or slowing their production and more, the drought of 2012 is of historic proportion and demands cooperation among all Kansans to respond, recover and plan for the future,” Gov. Brownback said. “Our website will provide Kansans with a one-stop resource to find the latest information about the drought.”

Kansas Adjutant General Maj. Gen. (KS) Lee Tafanelli; Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman; Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Robert Moser, M.D.; Kansas Water Office Director Tracy Streeter; USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Adrian Polansky; Augusta Mayor Kristey Williams; State Conservation Commission Chairman Rod Vorhees; State Board of Agriculture Chairman and agricultural producer Jerry McReynolds; Harry Moser, cattle producer from Wheaton; Dave Harry, White Energy plant operator, Russell; and Greg Standard, Seward County emergency management director and assistant fire chief joined the governor for the discussion last week in Topeka.

The Governor updated the state’s drought disaster declaration late last month to include all 105 Kansas counties in an emergency status.