Browse by Topic: Planning

Making the connection between climate and financial risk at scale for financial institutions, companies, and governments.

An online toolkit is designed to help farmers from the Northeast US improve their productivity and resiliency in the face of a changing climate by using decision support tools for growing degree days, water deficits, and planting schedules.

A short guide to climate change, Climate Smart Farming, and potential climate adaptations along with worksheets to aid in assessment, selection, and implementation of strategies. By using this workbook, producers can expect to have a better understanding of vulnerable areas to climate change and strategies to mitigate those risks on their farm.

A one-pager summarizing climate related hazards and vulnerabilities in northeast agriculture, key adaptation and mitigation strategies, and regional priorities.

A case study of Clovercrest Farm, a small-scale dairy farm in Charleston, Maine. Includes the impacts of climate change on the farm and their adaptation strategies. The farm milks 95 Jersey cattle on 250 acres, of which 125 acres are pasture and 125 acres are wooded. The farm rents 350 acres of cropland in the surrounding area to grow winter forage. Clovercrest Farm is pasture-based and has been certified USDA organic since 1998.

The Vermont Climate Assessment (VCA) of 2014 paints a vivid picture of a changing climate in Vermont and calls for immediate strategic planning to sustain the social, economic and environmental fabric of our state. The VCA is the first state-scale climate assessment in the country and speaks directly to the impacts of climate change as they pertain to our rural towns, cities and communities, including impacts on Vermont tourism and recreation, agriculture, natural resources and energy.

Tools to explore cover crops in the Northeast, select species, calculate nitrogen credits, and more. Cover crop selector tool gives recommendations based on your specific site and soil conditions. Website also includes further cover crop resources.

This calculator aids farmers with decision support regarding cover crop residue persistence, as well as the amount and timing of nitrogen availability.

Crop Production and Protection (CPP) National Programs deliver technical, science-based information, genetic resources, and technologies for increased crop productivity, economically and environmentally sustainable methods of crop production, and protection from plant diseases and pests.

The purpose of this book is to help growers and farm advisors understand the management of crop rotations; avoid crop rotation problems; and use crop rotation to build better soil, control pests, and develop profitable farms that support satisfied families.

A peer reviewed research paper from 2015 on changes in crop species diversity by US region between 1978-2012.

Outlines the new challenges that changing weather patterns pose in agriculture throughout the United States, and what you can do to make your farm more resilient. By understanding the climate risks to your production system and practices that can reduce those risks, you can identify some management steps that will improve the resilience of your farm or ranch to changing climate conditions while allowing you to achieve your other sustainability goals.

A concise article on the benefits of spreading your risk over more than one enterprise.

The goals of this publication are to present the principles behind drip irrigation and some practical guidelines for successful and profitable use of drip irrigation.

Participate to understand current research, available technologies, future possibilities, and the benefits and costs of small-scale manure digesters. Learn about REAP program eligibility, application deadlines, program grant and loan opportunities and how existing digesters used REAP as part of their funding package.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) have funded a study at UMass to evaluate the impacts of climate change on the biological resources in river and to investigate how the negative impacts of reservoir regulation could be ameliorated in the face of climate change. It is fortuitous that this study provides an excellent basis for future “watershed” type studies that may be performed by the NE CASC. The study has resulted in a full calibrated hydrology model of the Connecticut River Basin, a set of 112 different future hydrology scenarios associated with climate change, and a simulation and optimization model of the major reservoirs in the basin.

A template for creating a farm emergency plan. Includes emergency contact info, farm maps, animal census, biosecurity assessment, generator information, and overall emergency plan.

A free and confidential service for Vermont farmers and their family members, providing help with personal or work-related issues that cause stress. We will connect you to resources that can help your farm to thrive, and to counselors and other folks in your farming community who can help you find tools to deal with the uncertainty and frustrations that are a part of farming. State of Vermont website also includes links to Agricultural Development, the Dairy Business Innovation Center (DBIC), and much more.

An online recordkeeping system designed especially for organic vegetable producers that allows users to keep production records related to seeding, transplanting, harvest, cover crops, compost, fertilization, irrigation, pest scouting, spray activities, packing, distribution and customer invoicing.

Climate change is already posing new challenges, such as increased risk of flooding, summer heat stress, and more intense pest and weed pressures. This fact sheet details challenges and adaptation solutions on farms to the major effects of climate change.

A detailed summary of climate change's impacts in the Northeast, drivers of adaptation, disproportionate impacts on certain groups, action plans, and implementation and financing of those plans.

Enter your ZIP or Postal code to see the average first and last frost dates for your location (based on the nearest weather station), as well as the length of your growing season based on frost dates.

A DIY whole farm planning process designed especially for small- and mid-scale diversified operations that will help you reduce the risks and capture new opportunities created by more variable weather and extremes.

Programs to support humane, pasture-based farmers with grants, scholarships, webinars, mentorship, and short courses.