Browse by Topic: Adaptation Practices

A comprehensive resource on infrastructure considerations when building new or remodeling replacement/heifer housing.

Regional and state-specific resources for climate adaptation and mitigation, from funding resources to production, infrastructure, nutrient management, efficiency, alternative energy, and much more.

Drought management and planning for Maine growers.

A webinar on best practices where grazing systems and waterways interact on the farm.

Summer cover crops traditionally have not been used in Rhode Island because of the short summer fallow period. However, as the fall season becomes milder, fall cash crops are now being planted as late as the end of September. This creates an increasing gap period between the harvesting of early summer crops and the planting of fall crops. The fall cash crops are also being harvested later, which means that winter cover crops are planted later and are unable to produce as much biomass as in the past. These shifts in planting times are making traditional winter cover cropping less practical and summer cover cropping more worthwhile. This short articles explores teff and Japanese millet to fill this gap.

Research-based, farmer driven information about practicing sustainable agriculture on your farm. Topics to browse include Farm Business Management, Animal Production, Pest Management, Sustainable Communities, Soil Management, and more.

Making a profit growing tree fruit in the Northeast has never been easy, but could become more difficult in the coming decades as climate change progresses in the Northeast. This document is a checklist of possible climate and weather‐related challenges, and some opportunities that may increase over the next 30 years, with actions tree fruit growers can take to reduce risk or maximize opportunity.

A fact sheet on the use of soil moisture sensors on farms. Includes grower experiences, sensor types, installation, and interpretation of the readings.

Warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons offer Pennsylvania dairy farmers the ability to plant more than one crop in a season. In this virtual tour, Penn State University researchers are studying cropping systems that can make dairy farming more sustainable in the face of a changing climate, such as double-cropping.

Installing tile drainage on fields has the potential to pay for itself with more reliable and maybe improve crop yield. However, there are several factors to keep in mind that impact drainage efficiency or return on investment. This fact sheet outlines considerations and further resources.

An hour-long webinar about the various invasive species growers might come into contact with in the face of climate change as well as how to deal with them in the most efficient manner.

Transitioning to a production method that is not reliant on synthetic fertilizers can be accomplished strategically over three to five years. The following publications, tipsheets, and videos are a good place to start learning how things like cover crops, green manures, and alternative soil amendments can result in reduced input costs and increased self-reliance.

Three fact sheets on soil moisture on farms: "Soil water availability monitoring for diversified vegetable farms", "Soil water monitoring systems: Components and costs", and "How Much is Enough? Dialing in Irrigation on Northeast Diversified Vegetable Farms".

As the climate continues to change, food security will likely remain an issue. Urban food hubs like the East Capitol Urban Farm can help mitigate the effects of warming temperatures and precipitation extremes.

Visit the research and variety trials happening at the University of Maine's Highmoor Farm. Maine is a state known for its long, cold winters and short growing season, but changes in climate are disrupting this norm. Many growers across the state have already started to experience the trend towards longer growing seasons. Slightly warmer summers and slightly milder winters may provide new opportunities, but can also come with a cost.

University of Rhode Island is conducting research and outreach on high tunnel production and summer cover crops to help farmers tackle both the risks and opportunities posed by climate change.

IPM pest and disease modeling and forecasting. Includes pest-specific data and other factors such as growing-degree days.

This article discusses how cover crops have the potential to boost key aspects of the soil microbiome typically associated with healthy soils.

Visit the University of Vermont research happening on working dairy farms to see how management practices can affect water quality, economics, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The CSF Water Deficit Calculator estimates soil water content within a crop’s effective root zone to inform decision makers about current and forecasted water deficits. Information is used to determine the optimum frequency and duration of irrigation

A short fact sheet summarizing how changing climate impacts dairy operations, and what can dairy farmers do to adapt.

This hour-long free webinar is about the impacts of climate change on maple syrup production and how maple producers can best adapt.

Historically, annual precipitation has been sufficient to meet vegetable crop water needs in the Northeastern United States throughout the growing season. For growers who do irrigate, there has been little concern about having sufficient ground or surface water for field or hoop house crops. In recent years, however, precipitation patterns in the Northeast have changed and climate models forecast that they will continue to do so. These changes translate into challenges for Northeast specialty crop growers that are distinct from those faced by growers in other regions. Specifically, specialty crop producers in this region must be prepared to deal with too much water and too little water, sometimes in the same growing season.

University of New Hampshire researchers are looking at ways growers might adapt to and take advantage of current and expected climate conditions from managing insect pests to growing new crops and varieties. Experiments range from establishing beneficial plant habitats and wildflower meadows to running cold hardiness fruit trials and using practices to extend the growing season.