Assessing Climate Perceptions and Developing Adaptation Resources for Small, Medium and Beginning Farms

Researchers at the University of Maine and University of Vermont are collaborating on a USDA grant to develop climate resilience tools and resources specifically addressing the needs of small, medium, and beginning farms in New England.

Agricultural climate change adaptation will require specialized outreach efforts and resources to ensure continued farm viability. Lead by Dr. Adam Daigneault in the School of Forest Resources, UMaine researchers are conducting one-on-one interviews with farmers and agricultural experts across the state on their perspectives and experiences with climate change and weather variability. Following interviews, the team will conduct focus groups with farmers to determine the types of resources and educational tools they identify as the most useful. Based on what is gathered from the interviews and focus groups, educational resources on climate adaptation will be developed and shared with farmers through collaborating organizations including the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the USDA Northeast Climate Hub.

University of Maine: Adam Daigneault, Eric Gallandt, Tori Jackson, Sonja Birthisel, Ruth Sexton

University of Vermont: Meredith Niles, Stephanie Hurley, V. Ernesto Mendez, Joshua Faulkner, Beth Holtzman, Rachel Schattman

Collaborators: USDA Northeast Climate Hub, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), Beginning Farmer Resource Network (BFRN) of Maine, UVM’s New Farmer Project/Women’s Agricultural Network, The Institute for Social and Economic Development