Climate Resilience

Our Resilience Strategies

A group of veterans stands in a circle on a grassy field under a blue sky with scattered clouds. They are wearing casual outdoor clothing, including jackets and caps. Bare trees and distant hills are visible in the background.

Agroforestry: Best described as trees on farms on purpose, this wide range of practices integrates trees, forests, and agricultural production. Adding diversity to any ecological system, if done thoughtfully, increases the capacity of that ecosystem to yield abundance in the face of weather shocks. Learn more about forest farming, silvopasture, mushroom production, and woody plant propagation through our Agroforestry project, and other practices through the USDA National Agroforestry Center.

Summer Fruit Tour - 2019 Luis

Futuro En Ag: The majority of the agricultural workforce in NYS hails from Latin American countries. The network- and capacity-building work we do with this audience builds resilience in its most holistic sense; from increasing social connection and business management skills to providing training and technical assistance on best practices for improving soil health. We’re also building a collection of resources in collaboration with producers, filling a need for educational materials related to agriculture in Spanish. 

Rows of various leafy green vegetables grow in a well-tended garden, with visible divisions between each row, much like the discipline and precision valued by veterans. In the background, a line of trees stands proudly under a clear blue sky.

Reduced Tillage: We support small to mid-scale vegetable farmers, many using organic practices, in adopting reduced tillage practices on their farms. These practices can take many different forms. Our goal is to integrate reduced tillage with other soil-building practices, to foster the growth and viability of vegetable farming in New York and the Northeast. We work across different tools and practices, fit to the the scale and resources of the farm, and are learning from many innovative farmers leading the way.

urban-ag-rooftop-farm-skyline

Urban Ag: Urban farms can not only be commercially viable and economically self-sufficient small farm businesses, they also serve to build community cohesion, teach about food and farming, connect urban and rural producers, and generate fresh food for local eaters. Building a successful commercial urban farm requires careful consideration of unique issues created by farming in the urban environment.


Climate Resilience News and Updates

  • African rice farmers test traditions against NY climate

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    In 2013, Nfamara Badjie and his wife, Dawn Hoyte, bought a 6-acre farm in Ulster Park, New York, in the Hudson Valley. They soon realized the fields were muddy – almost wetlands – but Badjie didn’t mind.  “I said, ‘That’s the one I’m looking for, the wetland is good for the rice,’” Badjie said, flashing an easy smile. “Dawn said, ‘No, you can’t…

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  • Building a Climate Resilient Small Farm

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    How one farmer has adapted for climate change through soil health, infrastructure, and better decision making.  The Halloween storm dropped over 2.5” of rain on our farm. The first half inch fell in about a half hour increment and put a memorable end to Trick or Treating for our two little ghosts. The next two inches fell in…

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