The Vermont Agricultural Resilience in a Changing Climate Initiative

Working with farmers, extensionists and researchers to face the challenges of climate change.

Introduction

The Vermont Agricultural Resilience in a Changing Climate Initiative (VAR) is a collaborative research initiative which aims to help farmers in Vermont adapt to climate change and values stakeholder voices in directing the research goals.

A key part of the initiative’s approach is incorporating stakeholder input to ensure the research is relevant and responsive.  Participatory action research (PAR) is framework for doing research with academic and non-academic partners which explicitly places value on the input and reflections of each partner to inform an iterative process of discovery and change.  This process emphasizes that the results of research be valuable and applicable to the community.

General Objectives of VAR

1. To identify existing farming practices that contribute to climate change mitigation and/or adaptation;

2. To assess farmers’ interest in pursuing farm management strategies under different climate change and policy

scenarios;

3. To improve existing on-farm practices through agroecology, outreach and policy innovations; and,

4. To provide decision support for policy makers and farmers through extension and outreach programs, print and online resources.