More than 600 farmers, ranchers, industry representatives, and community leaders joined Governor Sam Brownback Wednesday at meetings in Scott City and Garden City to discuss next steps in conserving and extending the life of the Ogallala Aquifer.

The meetings included presentations from K-State and Kansas Geological Survey staff members who shared information on groundwater projection and economic modeling.

While the aquifer in many areas has been declining for decades, the intense drought has heightened the issue even more.

Governor Brownback told the audiences at both meetings that the state will assist in any way necessary, but conservation needs to be a local effort.