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USDA Regional Hubs for Risk Adaptation & Mitigation to Climate Change. Charlie Walthall USDA Agricultural Research Service Beltsville, MD. USDA Climate Change Hubs Taking action on climate change …. Climate Change & Agriculture: Needs
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USDA Regional Hubs for Risk Adaptation & Mitigation to Climate Change Charlie Walthall USDA Agricultural Research Service Beltsville, MD
USDA Climate Change Hubs Taking action on climate change ….. • 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 Climate Change Hubs:USDA Secr. Vilsackannounced 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, region-specific information and technologies to agricultural and natural resource managers that enable climate-smart decision-making
Service centers for science-based risk management • 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*
USDA Climate Change HubsTechnical 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
USDA Climate Change HubsAssessments & 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
USDA Climate Change HubsOutreach & 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”
USDA Climate Change HubsLeadership • 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”
USDA Climate Change HubsPartners • 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
USDA Climate Change Hubs Roles of NOAA, DOI “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 Community Contributions • 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?
Climate Community Contributions…. • Help Provide Tools for Risk Management • Decision-making aids for • Scientists • Producers & land managers • Policy makers • Easy to access • Easy to understand
Climate Community Contributions…. • 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
Charles L. Walthall PhDDeputy Administrator (Acting)Natural Resources & Sustainable Agriculture Systems ResearchUSDA Agricultural Research ServiceOffice of National Programs5601 Sunnyside AvenueRoom 4-2288Beltsville, MD 20705-5140charlie.walthall@ars.usda.gov301-504-7987/301-504-4634