Farmers and ranchers across the United States and throughout the world are already experiencing the repercussions of changing weather and climate. The impacts are particularly felt in the American west where declining water tables, increases in temperature, and a rise of pests and diseases moving into new areas have been linked to the changing climate.
Our ability to adapt through transformations in technology and environmental conditions will be a key factor in the future of agricultural production and economics. Reacting to these changes will require a broad-based effort from stakeholders across the environmental and agricultural communities.
On July 19, 2010, in Denver, Colorado, we are inviting members of the agricultural community to meet with representatives from the USDA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality in an effort to bring these stakeholders together. The objective of the one-day session is to help in developing Federal recommendations for adapting to climate change impacts. In addition to hearing about planning efforts and proposed adaptation strategies, farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity to contribute their feedback on how agricultural producers can adjust their operations to meet an unpredictable future.
The public meeting, Helping Agriculture Adapt to a Changing Climate, is organized by the USDA and co-hosted by American Farmland Trust and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. A draft agenda and additional information, as well as registration material, are all available online.
Please join us for the meeting and help us to spread the word to other interested parties, including farm groups, trade groups, commodity groups, agritech and agribusiness representatives, insurance representatives, environmental/conservation groups, and local/national land managers/producers. We look forward to seeing you soon in Denver!
About the Author: Jimmy Daukas is Managing Director, Agriculture and Environment Campaign