The Cornell Climate-Smart Farming Program and USDA Northeast Climate Hub today released a new Northeast Climate Adaptation Workbook, a practical guide to help producers in the Northeast better prepare for a changing climate by developing an Adaptation Plan for their Farm. The Northeast Climate Adaptation Workbook (July 2026) was developed based on extensive input from farmers and Extension professionals. It introduces the observed and expected changes affecting agriculture, as well as adaptation strategies to consider. The workbook also includes planning worksheets to help producers assess their goals, evaluate impacts, consider practices, and implement changes to improve their farm’s resilience and sustainability.
This workbook was developed over several years by researchers and education specialists from Cornell University and the USDA Northeast Climate Hub, who worked with farmers across the Northeast, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Regional Agriculture specialists, the Cornell Climate Smart Farming Team, and undergraduate interns from Cornell University and Colgate University to develop a practical guide for farmers. The team also trained dairy farmers and urban farmers to develop their own adaptation plan through a Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Fellowship Program with the USDA Northeast Climate Hub, and several of these farmers and consultants have shared their stories of farm adaptation planning.
The workbook serves as a jumping-off point for farm adaptation, guiding a producer – often working with an Extension specialist, consultant, or certified crop advisor – through a structured set of steps to carefully consider on-farm adaptation options and work towards a more climate-resilient future. It’s not meant to diagnose problems or prescribe solutions—instead, it helps farmers identify options and gives them the flexibility to select strategies that fit their operation and goals.
Farmers in New York interested in developing a climate adaptation plan can contact Dr. Kitty O’Neil, the Ag Climate Resiliency Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension, or the other team members for assistance. The CSF program can also provide training for Extension educators or consultants interested in working with farmers on climate adaptation or mitigation planning.