California’s drought as opportunity: Redesigning U.S. agriculture for a changing climate

Abstract The impacts of climate change are already affecting the production and profitability of agricultural systems, and these trends are expected to continue in the future. Without support from ecosystem functions, an agricultural system designed exclusively to maximize short-term production is vulnerable to extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. This results in high costs for farmers and ultimately for society at large, in economic and ecological terms. Complex agroecosystems that maximize biological interactions and conserve soil are better protected from extreme events, and thus are overall more resilient to climate change. This paper reviews the evidence demonstrating greater resilience on farms that maximize diversity, build soil organic matter, and incorporate other agroecological or ‘sustainable’ practices. We then discuss the current water crisis in California in the context of the vulnerability of our current agricultural systems to climate change, highlighting this as an opportunity to redirect agricultural policies and economic incentives. The projected increase in the frequency and intensity of climate extremes calls for policies that are concerned not only with present crises, but that also encourage a new culture of forward-thinking practices around land and water use. We highlight France’s new Law for the Future of Agriculture, Food and Forestry as an example of national policy supporting agroecology. Applying an agroecological approach to increase resilience will enable the U.S. to tackle the twin challenges of food production and increasing climatic unpredictability

Agrobiodiversity conservation and livelihoods in shade coffee cooperatives of Central America

Se utilizaron los hogares de familias caficultoras como la principal unidad de análisis para sintetizar datos de agrobiodiversidad en parcelas agrícolas manejadas por agricultores afiliados a cooperativas de café en Nicaragua y El Salvador. Encuestas, grupos focales e inventarios de plantas fueron utilizados para analizar la agrobiodiversidad y su contribución a los medios de vida. Las familias caficultoras manejaron altos niveles de agrobiodiversidad, incluyendo 100 árboles de sombra, especies epífitas, cultivos alimentarios y medicinales. Las pequeñas fincas individuales presentaron niveles superiores de agrobiodiversidad comparadas con cooperativas que administran mayores extensiones de tierra colectivamente. Las familias se beneficiaron de la agrobiodiversidad a través del consumo de alimentos, leña, madera y plantas medicinales. Además, los hogares utilizaron estos diversos productos para generar ingresos. El análisis de un estudio de caso en El Salvador demostró que los niveles de biodiversidad de árboles de sombra en los cafetales de una cooperativa de 35 ha no cambiaron significativamente en 9 años. Los niveles de agrobiodiversidad vegetal encontrados en las pequeñas fincas y cooperativas se muestran prometedores para conservar especies en cafetales con sombra. Sin embargo, esto requerirá de programas integrales que apoyen a los caficultores, no solo en la conservación, sino también en mejorar sus medios de vida.We used coffee farming households as units of analysis to synthetize agrobiodiversity data in agricultural plots managed by coffee cooperative members of Nicaragua and El Salvador. Surveys, focus groups and plant inventories were used to analyze agrobiodiversity and its contribution to household livelihoods. Coffee farming families managed high levels of agrobiodiversity, including shade and other trees, epiphytes, agricultural crops and medicinal plants. Individual small farms contained higher levels of agrobiodiversity compared to cooperatives managing larger landholdings collectively. Families benefited from agrobiodiversity through consumption of food, firewood, timber and medicinals. In addition, they used these products to generate income through sales. An analysis of a case study in El Salvador showed that shade tree biodiversity levels in a 35 ha collectively managed cooperative did not significantly change over 9 years. The levels of plant agrobiodiversity found in small farms and cooperatives show promise for conserving species in shade coffee. However, this will require integrated programs that not only enhance conservation activities, but also support household livelihoods

Integrating agroecology and landscape multifunctionality in Vermont: An evolving framework to evaluate the design of agroecosystems

Agroecosystems cover vast areas of land worldwide and are known to have a large impact on the environment, yet these highly modified landscapes are rarely considered as candidates for landscape design. While intentionally-designed agricultural landscapes could serve many different functions, few resources exist for evaluating the design of these complex landscapes, particularly at the scale of the whole-farm. The objective of this paper is to introduce an evolving framework for evaluating the design of agroecosystems based on a critical review of the literature on landscape multifunctionality and agroecology. We consider how agroecosystems might be designed to incorporate additional functions while adhering to agroecology principles for managing the landscape. The framework includes an assessment tool for evaluating farm design based on the extent of fine-scale land use features and their specific functions, to consider the present state of the farm, to plan for future conditions, or to compare alternative futures for the design of the farm. We apply this framework to two farms in Vermont that are recognized locally as successful, multifunctional landscapes. The Intervale Center, an agricultural landscape located within the city limits, serves as an incubator for new farm startups and provides unique cultural functions that benefit the local community. Butterworks Farm, a private operation producing organic yogurt and other food products, achieves important ecological functions through an integrated crop-livestock system. These farms and many others in Vermont serve as models of a framework that integrates landscape multifunctionality and agroecology in the design of the landscape. In the discussion section, we draw from the literature and our work to propose a set of important themes that might be considered for future research.Multifunctional agriculture Landscape multifunctionality Ecosystem services Ecological design Food systems Rural planning

Health Insurance and National Farm Policy

This research examines how health insurance affects efforts to build a vibrant and resilient farm population. We find health insurance is a national farm policy issue tied to risk management, growing the next generation of farmers, farm succession and land transfer, rural jobs, and rural development