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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Rangeland Resources & Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #359527
Title: How to talk with ranchers about drought and climate resilience: Lessons from knowledge exchange workshops in Montana

Author
item LASSA, MITCH - Montana State University
item Wilmer, Hailey
item BOOM, MADISON - Montana State University
item BROWN, ZACH - One Montana
item Derner, Justin
item Peck, Dannele
item THISSEN, CARMEN - University Of Montana
item MARLOW, CLAYTON - Montana State University

Submitted to: Journal of Extension
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/23/2019
Publication Date: 10/26/2020
Citation: Lassa, M.J., Wilmer, H.N., Boom, M., Brown, Z., Derner, J.D., Peck, D.E., Thissen, C., Marlow, C. 2020. How to talk with ranchers about drought and climate resilience: Lessons from knowledge exchange workshops in Montana. Journal of Extension. 58(5). Article ev58-5rb1. Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/61765

Interpretive Summary: In 2017, “flash drought” affected eastern Montana and the western Dakotas. Ranchers there faced numerous challenges to remaining profitable. Drought-favorable climate conditions are predicted to increase for the region. This paper uses qualitative methods to document conversations that ranchers, extension professionals and researchers had during five workshops on drought resilience in Montana. The topics that emerged from those conversations were: 1) drought planning and adaptive management, 2) local knowledge networks, 3) flexible stocking and grazing strategies, and 4) adapting to shifting baselines. These topics give us insight into how communities and ranchers are adapting to and coping with drought.

Technical Abstract: In 2017, “flash drought” affected eastern Montana and the western Dakotas. Ranchers there faced numerous challenges to remaining profitable. Drought-favorable climate conditions are predicted to increase for the region. A two-way exchange of knowledge is needed to build knowledge and resilience for ranchers in these conditions. We held five rural community workshops throughout Montana to facilitate a multidirectional exchange of adaptive drought management strategies and strengthen regional resilience to dynamic drought conditions. We discuss strategies related to: 1) drought planning and adaptive management, 2) local knowledge networks, 3) flexible stocking and grazing strategies, and 4) adapting to shifting baselines.