The CICSS Team will be showcasing an updated and improved Version 2.0 of the CSF Grape Hardiness and Freeze Risk Tool on January 4th at the 2018 NYS Ag Society Forum. The new version of the tool includes updated 2018 weather and forecast data, and a faster graphical output to improve the users’ experience with the tool. The Northeast is currently experiencing an extreme cold snap, and the tool is predicting temperatures that could damage grapes and other perennial crops in parts of the Northeast region. Armed with more precise forecast information related to their crops, farmers can put in
Read more »A team of researchers from the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions and CALS International Programs, including Drs. Allison Chatrchyan, Danielle Eiseman, and Maricelis Acevedo presented a Cornell research update at an official Press conference at COP 23 in Bonn, Germany on November 9, 2017. Chatrchyan and Eiseman presented on the “Cornell Climate Smart Farming Program, Website and Decision support tools for farmers,” including announcing the launch of the new CSF winter cover crop timing tool. Acevedo presented on “Delivering Genetic Gain in Wheat Project & Possibilities for Climate Resilient Agriculture Programs.” For more on Cornell’s Delegation to COP, see Cornell COP
Read more »The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), announced on Wednesday nine grants, with a total of over $8 million dollars. These grants were awarded to research centers focused on the study and development of new approaches to the agricultural sector. Among these awardees is the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions Climate Smart Farming program.
PermalinkThe Cornell Chronicle reported on the recent case study on Cornell’s Climate Smart Farming program. The article highlights the UN’s overall effort to examine regional programs that support farmers adapt to climate change. Programs such as the Climate Smart Farming program support the UN’s goal to ensure global food security.
PermalinkRead the second Drought Newsletter from Cornell’s Emergent Climate Risk Lab (ECRL) headed up by Dr. Toby R. Ault. This is the second issue in this newsletter series and highlights include an overview of current drought conditions in the Northeastern United States, predicted changes in drought conditions and an introduction to the CICSS and ECRL newly launched drought visualization tool.
PermalinkTogether with the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA), Cornell’s Climate Smart Farming Program created a case study highlighting the resources, training and decision support tools for farmers in the Northeastern United States. The present case study explores a new research and extension outreach program that is providing these support tools for farmers in the NE USA. The program is built on trusted two-way feedback between researchers, extension staff and farmers.
PermalinkOn June 26th, our Director Allison Chatrchyan and Research Assistant Jake Pero went to Batavia, NY for Extension Specialist Darcy Telenko’s fresh market vegetable field day event. On top of learning about new strategies for weed management, farmers heard about resources for climate mitigation and adaptation available through CSF. Our team set up a table to teach farmers about climate smart practices, and Allison spoke to inform attendees about our Climate Smart Farming Decision Tools. Thanks to our Cornell Cooperative Extension offices across the state, we can share information and strategies that keep farmers profitable, resilient, and sustainable in a shifting climate.
Cornell CSF and the Network for Environment and Weather Applications (NEWA) led a joint webinar hosted by the USDA Northeast Climate Hub on Thursday, May 4th to educate extension professionals, government employees, and other stakeholders on their agricultural decision tools for the Northeast. View this informative webinar at the Conservation Webinar Portal.
PermalinkDrs. Shannan Sweet and David Wolfe conducted a New York State Drought Survey in 2016 in order to determine the impacts of the drought on farmers in New York. The survey aimed to elucidate impacts by commodity and also based on whether farmers irrigated or not. Read about this survey, the results, and the recommendations based on this research in the third edition of the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions (CICSS) Research and Policy Brief Series, entitled “Anatomy of a Rare Drought: Insights from New York Farmers” on the CICSS Publications page.
PermalinkThe Cornell Climate Smart Farming (CSF) Program was featured in the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture’s (GACSA) February Newsletter HERE. CICSS Director, and spearheader of the Cornell CSF Program, Allison Chatrchyan, is very involved with GACSA, participating in their annual meetings each year, and developing case studies of climate smart agriculture from the Northeast to contribute to their worldwide assessments.
PermalinkWith transitions in government leadership in the new presidential administration, websites such as Climate Central are working to get perspectives on how this will impact agencies such as the USDA and work they are doing in the climate change and agricultural sphere. Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions Directors Mike Hoffmann and Allison Chatrchyan were recently interviewed by Climate Central, and their perspectives on the direction of these organizations can be found in the following article.
PermalinkAs part of the Cornell Small Farms Program, Beginning Farmers Project, the CSF Program (within the Cornell Institute for Climate Smart Solutions) will be offering a course entitled BF 107: “Climate Smart Farming, Being Prepared can Keep You in Business” from Jan 17th to Feb 21st in 2017. The course will equip farmers with the knowledge to understand their risk to climate change and extreme weather, empowering them to implement measures that not only respond to climate change, but also maintain their bottom line by promoting sustainability, preparedness, and best management practices. Register HERE! For more information on the Beginning Farmers Project and online courses,
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