Headline News

February 24, 2014 - The FCI-supported Tri-state climate learning community for row crop agriculture held their ninth workshop on Feb. 20th in Headland, Alabama at the Wiregrass Research Station. Twenty-seven people attended, including producers, researchers and extension professionals from 12 counties in FL, GA and AL. The morning fieldtrip was organized by William Birdsong (Auburn University Cooperative Extension) and highlighted climate-related risk management at the Satsuma orchard of Hertzog farms. During an additional two other farm visits producers, Myron Johnson and Thomas Kirkland guided the group in a discussion about the benefits and practices associated with cover crops (hairy vetch and cereal rye). David Zierden, FL state climatologist (FSU) provided a seasonal climate review and outlook. Growers were particularly interested in hearing about the physical drivers responsible for recent cold weather. David also piqued interest in learning more about the theory of arctic amplification.

The Tri-state climate group was initiated in April 2010 and is coordinated by Dr. Wendy-Lin Bartels, Assistant Research Scientist at FCI. Row crop stakeholders meet twice a year in Florida, Alabama or Georgia in February (prior to planting) and in early August during summer “downtime” (prior to harvest). The broad aim of this climate learning network is to create a space for on-going interactions among row crop stakeholders at a regional scale (SE USA) to identify and assess adaptation options that can reduce climate-related risks. Workshops emphasize hands-on, peer-to-peer learning through on-farm field visits, in-depth discussions, and experimentation. Interactions enable local experiences to influence research directions (and vice versa). Researchers from the Florida Climate Institute and the Southeast Climate Consortium coordinate and facilitate the group with support through a USDA-NIFA-funded project.