• Helping

Wetter springs, longer summer dry spells and droughts, warmer winters and a longer growing season — climate change in the Northeast means that agriculture has been, and will be, facing multiple changes and challenges. The Center is here to help.

Resilient systems will be critical to maintaining economic and environmental sustainability in the face of increased precipitation, more extreme storms and warming temperatures. Successful agricultural adaptations will involve both straight-forward and more creative solutions, including:

  • managing soil and water differently,
  • diversification of enterprises,
  • infrastructure investment,
  • new crop types and varieties
  • adoption of new and different enterprises.

Agriculture's Role in a Changing Climate

Collaborative research involves UVM students and colleagues across campus.

In addition to adaptation, agriculture has the potential to help mitigate climate change through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon storage in soils.  The Farming and Climate Change Program exists to investigate the practices that lead to these benefits and how they can be integrated into Northeastern agriculture.  

Our goals are to:

  1. Educate and provide technical assistance to farmers, agricultural service providers, and policy-makers regarding sustainable strategies for adapting to, and mitigating the impact of, climate change, and

  2. Seek innovative and effective research-based solutions to climate-related challenges facing the region's farms and farmers. To meet these goals, we provide educational opportunities and consultation to producers and other stakeholders, serve as a resource hub and knowledge outlet for research-based information, work closely with state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations, and perform applied research that can be put to use on the region’s farms.

Current Research Topics

Vermont farms are experiencing climate change's impacts, and also seeking to reduce their contributions to it.

Video Series: New England Farmers Adapt to a Changing Climate

weather map of region

Testimony to Joint Ag. Committee on Vermont Agriculture in a Changing Climate, January 2019

Vermont Statehouse, Image Courtesy Friends of the Vermont Statehouse

Farming & Climate Change Coordinator Joshua Faulkner Speaking about Farming & Climate Change in Vermont

UVM Extension Center for Sustainable Agriculture

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