Implications of Water Impacts from Climate Change: Preparing Agricultural Educators and Advisors in the Pacific Northwest

Project Overview

EW15-012
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2015: $75,000.00
Projected End Date: 01/31/2018
Grant Recipient: Washington State University
Region: Western
State: Washington
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Joe Harrison
Email
Washington State University

Annual Reports

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Crop Production: water management, water storage
  • Education and Training: extension, networking

    Proposal abstract:

    Agriculture in the Pacific Northwest (PNW; WA, ID and OR) provides a substantial proportion of food production in the U.S. Future climate models predict that the region’s agricultural production operations and systems will be challenged by water supply due to decreased snow pack, and issues associated with water access and rights. Producers and agricultural professionals are interested in more information about specific risks associated with climate change, including future expectations and appropriate management strategies. This effort will provide agricultural advisors, regulators and managers with information about regional climate related water risks that they can use to advise producers.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    The objective of this effort is to utilize traditional outreach strategies to improve the understanding that agriculture professionals have about projected climate impacts on water accessibility in the PNW and support them to make sustainable management decisions. The target audience is professionals advising agricultural producers, including regional, state and local agencies (e.g. NRCS). The main outcome will be professionals who are better equipped to assist producers proactively manage risks and adopt effective water management strategies that will make their farming operations more resilient to drought stress. This will be achieved by: 1) hosting a PNW regional conference that will focus on multiple aspects of agricultural water management and conservation associated with climate change, and 2) providing online informational resources (e.g. videos and written materials) about regional drought risks and water management. All materials will be online and available to educators, consultants, advisors, teaching professionals and producers.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.