Diversification and agroforestry offer critical climate change adaptation and mitigation services on farms.
Many farmers and advisors are currently interested in learning more about how to achieve diversification, and integrate agroforestry practices into their current farm plans. This Climate Adaptation and Mitigation cohort seeks to create a community of producers and advisors with a focus on diversification and agroforestry who will learn about climate change adaptation and mitigation together.
You are eligible for this program if our farm is highly diversified, you are practicing agroforestry on your farm, or you advise farmers with highly diversified farms, or who practice agroforestry, and you are located in the Northeast region (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia).
Program Goals
Provide geographically specific climate change information relevant to diversified agriculture and agroforestry in the Northeastern United States
Empower diversified agriculture and agroforestry practitioners and advisors to become climate leaders in their communities through peer-to-peer learning
Create opportunities for farmers to create farm-specific climate adaptation and mitigation plans with support
Strengthen agricultural advisor knowledge and abilities in climate adaptation and mitigation planning
Support development of outreach and education products that reach farmers and agricultural advisors beyond the program.
What do Fellows in this program do?
Work in farmer/service provider pairs throughout fellowship
Receive online climate change training and resources from subject matter experts
Build a community of other diversified agriculture and agroforestry practitioners and advisors who are concerned about and ready to address climate change.
Learn how to create a farm-specific climate adaptation and mitigation plans
Gain experience and confidence talking about climate change
Timeline
Fall 2023 | Recruitment of Fellows
January - February 2024 | Participation in Online Workshop
Approximately 16 hours total of participation
Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:30 PM Eastern on the following dates: January 17, 24, and 31, February 7, 14, 21, and 28, and March 6.
All sessions will be recorded, and participants will have access to the recordings if they cannot attend the live session.
Spring 2024 - Fall 2025 | Ongoing Engagement and Development of Farm Climate Adaptation and/or Mitigation Plan
Fellows complete required activities (risk assessment, adaptation plan, economic analysis, outreach)
Fellows complete optional activities (on farm demonstrations, trials, installations)
Education team check-ins with fellows
Fellows submit final reports
January 2026 | Final Workshop
Sharing farm plan
Program evaluation
Who is involved?
Have a question?
For more information about this program, contact Sara Kelemen at sara.kelemen@usda.gov