Reaching out to Limited Resource Growers with Sustainable, Climate Resilient Production Techniques.

Commodities

• Agronomic: soybeans
• Fruits: apples, apricots, berries (blueberries), berries (strawberries), grapes, peaches
• Nuts: chestnuts
• Vegetables: cucurbits, greens (leafy), peppers, tomatoes
• Animals: goats, poultry

Practices

• Crop Production: beekeeping, conservation tillage, cover crops, cropping systems, crop rotation, double cropping, drainage systems, drought tolerance, fertilizers, grafting, greenhouses, high tunnels or hoop houses, intercropping, low tunnels, nutrient management, pollinator habitat, pollinator health, relay cropping, water management
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, focus group, networking, technical assistance, workshop
• Energy: energy conservation/efficiency
• Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, carbon sequestration, habitat enhancement, soil stabilization
• Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems
• Soil Management: soil quality/health
• Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures, urban agriculture

 Statement of Problem or opportunity

We aim to build a future where agricultural, environmental, and
social systems are resilient in the face of a rapidly changing
climate. The Northeastern U.S., is experiencing an increase
in  extreme weather events, changes in seasons and in pest
and disease pressure. There are  potential opportunities
for  longer growing seasons, but farmers need specific
information, tools, and resources to help them adapt to, and
mitigate, climate change. A survey of Ag agents yielded results
indicating a gap in training needed to equip them to better be
resourceful. By working closely we will have opened a
conversation about collaborative opportunities on matters
relating to the topic under discussion

 Summary of Justification and need

There is a critical need to provide agricultural educators with
the knowledge and tools to assist farmers in making informed
choices within the context of a changing climate. The proposed
training will provide comprehensive, practical, research-based
information in modules that cover: current knowledge regarding
greenhouse gases and climate change; changes in temperature and
precipitation patterns in our region and projections for the
future; potential impacts (positive and negative) on agriculture;
and implications for pest, soil, and energy management in
relation to farm profitability.

 Summary of the educational approach

We will establish a smart farm model at Smyrna Outreach Research
Center (SORC); Conduct  workshops at SORC and incorporate
training sessions with the help of Cornell Institute of Climate
Smart Solutions (CICSS) on integrated crop and livestock systems
as need be; Include ‘topics of interest’ during designated
conferences; write newsletter articles and media to promote the
workshops; Produce three fact sheets on related climate change
and agriculture issues, focused on information relevant for
Delaware and  Establish ongoing evaluation between workshops
based on participant feedback and planning committee discussion
to improve upon future events.

Performance Target

A planning committee in partnership with established resources
from North East Climate Hub and Cornell Institute for Climate
Smart Solutions (CICSS) will help provide training.

Thirty  (30)  agricultural service providers in
Delaware and parts of Maryland, will be trained in pertinent
issues relating to climate change and will have acquired
knowledge to  offer information to their clients on
opportunities and risks for agriculture associated with climate
change, with a focus on practical and profitable farmer
responses.

Of the 30 Ag providers; 20 will follow-up on knowledge acquired
to reach 100 limited resource growers. Those educators will be
expected to deliver extension programming that will lead to an
increase in knowledge in climate smart solutions to 60 growers
before the conclusion of the project. 

The establishment of demonstration plots at Smyrna Outreach
center as a model climate smart farm will attract 450
visitors.  Materials developed '360 degree tour virtual
realities, will be used as future training tools.

The training, learning plans, hands-on demonstration approaches
will be documented and serve as a template for other producers to
adapt and modify for hands-on labor training and skill
development in basic farm tasks to improve labor training and
production skills efficiencies.