On Monday, August 12, CCOF partner organization California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) released a publication that highlights the ongoing challenge of climate change on California farms and calls for farmer-driven solutions.
The publication summarizes research that evaluates current and predicted climate change impacts on California agriculture, including water scarcity and changing precipitation, warming temperatures and extreme heat, pests, disease and weed challenges, and wildfires.
It also highlights on-farm adaptation strategies and policy solutions that can help cultivate a more resilient agricultural system in the state. Policy recommendations include increasing technical assistance for farmers and ranchers through Cooperative Extension and Resource Conservation Districts, developing land-use planning and on-farm decision-support tools, and reforming crop insurance to incentivize resilient agricultural practices.
These recommendations come as state legislators consider AB 409 (Límon), a CalCAN-sponsored bill that will establish a grant program to fund farmer-centered planning tools that support climate adaption across the agriculture sector. CCOF supports the bill, which will expand resources and technical assistance on which our members rely.
Read more about the publication and CalCAN’s advocacy on their blog.