Download 20130816 QED2013 CWalthall Climate Hubs

Charlie Walthall
USDA Agricultural Research Service
Beltsville, MD
Climate Change & Agriculture: Needs
Delivery of science-based knowledge & practical
information to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners
Support decision-making on climate change
Maintain and strengthen under climate variability
agricultural production
natural resource management
rural economic development
Build capacity within USDA to deliver information &
guidance
Technologies
Risk management practices at regional and local scales
USDA Secr. Vilsack announced June 5, 2013
Vision:
Agricultural production and natural resources
maintained and strengthened under increasing
climate variability and climate change
Mission:
To develop and deliver science-based, regionspecific information and technologies to
agricultural and natural resource managers that
enable climate-smart decision-making
7 Centers
“Hub” + network of partners (“Hub + spokes”)
USDA in-house call for proposals: NO $$
NIFA funds via university partnerships later
OCE, ARS, NIFA, FS, RD, NRCS, RMA.…
USDA control: mission focus
Climate change adaptation
Climate change mitigation*
Technical Support
Develop Tools & Technologies
Drought
Heat stress
Excessive moisture
Longer growing seasons
Changes in pest pressure
Value chain: Fast track tools & information
Foundational research + applied research +tech transfer +
outreach & education
Assessments & Forecasts
Periodic regional assessments of risk and
vulnerability in the production sector
Contribute to the National Climate Assessment*
Provide accessible regional data
Interpret climate change forecasts for hazard &
adaptation planning
*Collaborative research opportunities
Outreach & Education
Provide outreach and extension
To farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners
Science-based risk management
Seek to partner with the land grant universities
Extension, & private sector”
“One stop shopping for climate change info & assistance”
Leadership
Each Hub as network center of connected
activities or services
Operational center located in a USDA facility
“Each Hub will maintain a vibrant network of
public, academic, & private sector organizations,
researchers, & outreach specialists”
Partners
Land grant universities;
USDA researchers, programs, and field offices
Private sector companies addressing climate
change adaptation and mitigation
State, local and regional governments
NOAA & DOI (USGS) regional climate change
experts
Non-profits providing assistance to landowners
“Complement USDA regional Hubs by providing
data, findings, tools, & forecasts
that USDA agencies &Hubs could build into
integrated services for the agricultural and
forestry sectors”
Climate Scenarios: Expected Future Environment
Temp, precip, Rh, winds, etc.
Extreme events
Duration of events
Forms, intensity of events: precip
Region – Specific
Are the designated Hub region boundaries
appropriate?
Help Provide Tools for Risk Management
Decision-making aids for
Scientists
Producers & land managers
Policy makers
Easy to access
Easy to understand
Partner with Hubs
Collaborate on research
Collaborate on adaptation technologies
development
Collaborate on regional assessments
Exchange data
Help with education & outreach
Synthesis & integration of research results