Forest ThreatNet
Climate Hub Extends the Reach of Extension Professionals
Farmers, ranchers, and foresters are among those on the front lines of weather and climate change impacts. Extension and other professionals who work with these producers are the direct links to information and tools that can aid adaptation to changing conditions, but there has been no large-scale effort to gauge their preparedness to deliver these resources—until now. Sarah Wiener, a Fellow with the Center-hosted USDA Southeast Regional Climate Hub (SERCH), co-led a national survey of Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency (FSA) field staff. Recently published results from FSA surveys can be used to target professional development opportunities to ensure field staffs, and ultimately the producers they serve, receive the support they need. As part of other efforts to support these on-the-ground staffs, Eastern Threat Center biological scientist Michael Gavazzi, currently serving as the acting SERCH Coordinator, presented “Tools to Increase Forest and Agricultural Productivity and Resilience in the Face of Climate Change and Variability” at the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals biennial conference in Biloxi, MS. The event provided an excellent opportunity to interact with extension professionals from across the United States and learn even more about the types of resources that farmers, foresters, and livestock producers need to make climate-informed decisions.
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