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ARS Home » Plains Area » El Reno, Oklahoma » Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #402096
Research Project: The USDA ARS Climate Hubs - Increasing Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability by Impactful Development and Communication of Climate Smart Agricultural Research and Practices - El Reno, OK

Location: Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center

Title: Climate Conversations for Identifying Climate Perspectives and Challenges in Oklahoma

Author
item HAGERMAN, AMY - Oklahoma State University
item SPAIN, COLE - Oklahoma State University
item POPE, CLAY - Former ARS Employee
item Cibils, Andres
item Eisenhour, Susan

Submitted to: Western Agricultural Economics Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/17/2023
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Abstract only.

Technical Abstract: Preliminary results are still under review, but some general themes emerged. Participants did feel that climate change is happening and climate change impacts are observable in the state. Extreme weather events were the strongest evidence of climate change listed by participants. Further, participants were concerned about climate change impacts in the future, and drought was of particular concern. This may have been influenced heavily by the intense drought Oklahoma was under in the fall of 2022. Water was a primary conservation concern, including pond management and water for livestock as well as drilling water wells for livestock or agricultural use. Regarding conservation practices, there was some difference between the farmers and ranchers in the audience and the conservation agency employees. One particularly insightful comment (paraphrase) was that we don’t need to completely re-brand conservation programs as climate adaptation programs, rather we just need to better quantify the climate resiliency impacts within existing conservation programs and identify ways to increase those benefits for producers. This presentation will focus on the survey results, as well as discuss ways to implement conservation Extension programs while highlighting climate change adaptation and resiliency based on the suggestions and feedback of these frontline conservationists. As a next step, feedback will all be summarized for the statewide OACD meeting February 25th, 2023. At that time, a more in-depth conversation using broader room discussion and small group (table) facilitators will capture the participants’ perceptions of needs and gaps, challenges, and opportunities in climate education in Oklahoma. The final summary will be compiled for distribution among leadership in the partner organizations and be used to guide outreach and subsequent Climate Conversations.