Location: Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center
2021 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Enable climate-smart decision-making by developing science-based, region-specific information, tools and technologies for agricultural and natural resource managers, and provide assistance where possible to enhance adoption and implementation of the same. The work will be conducted as the Southern Plains USDA Climate Change Hub and will be coordinated with NRCS, FS, and other USDA and non-USDA organizations in accordance with guidance found in the USDA Climate Change Hubs Charter, and Terms of Reference.
Approach
The climate hubs relate directly to the Sustainable Agricultural Systems Research National Program (NP216) Action Plan (2018-2022), Component 3. Achieving Agroecosystem Potential and these problem statements: Problem Statement 3a. Sustaining Intensified Production; Problem Statement 3b. Enhancing ecosystem services; and Problem Statement 3c. Enabling decision support for sustainability.
Progress Report
To meet objective 1A, the ARS Climate Hub staff have facilitated on-farm demonstrations of soil health practices to minimize negative impacts on the natural resource base; conducted wildfire-training seminars and disseminated information concerning benefits of prescribed fire; produced 22 podcasts, several videos, and 11 (monthly) newsletters on various topics including climate smart farming, weather conditions, farm programs, and soil health issues; expanded the use of secondary soil health/climate smart agriculture course curricula and training materials at youth meetings and outreach events; and continued facilitation of tribal demonstration farms. Hub staff met with representatives from Oklahoma State University; the Blain County, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension office; and private producers to plan, film, edit, post, and promote a series of videos on prescribed fire and its benefits. The Climate Hub entered into a cooperative agreement with Oklahoma State University to conduct a study to determine the amount of carbon sequestered in soils as a function of National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) prescribed best management practices. The Southern Plains Climate Hub has been without a director for over a year and conducted two recruiting actions to fill this position. An offer was recently extended to a qualified candidate to fill this position.
Accomplishments
