Progress 05/01/18 to 04/30/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience includes diversified farmers (e.g. vegetable, beef, maple), agricultural advisors and experts (e.g. extension, industry, non-profit, climatologists), and climate change, food systems and agricultural researchers in New England. Changes/Problems:The major challenge for this project was the COVID-19 pandemic. We collected our interview data with farmers prior to the pandemic, and were piloting climate adaptation tools and resources in the Spring of 2020. Unfortunately because of the pandemic, we had to cut our focus groups short, and we only conducted 4 focus groups total with 20 farmers. These focus groups were intended to collect additional data for peer-reviewed publications, which was unfortunately not possible. However, we utilized the data we did collect, along with our interview data, to move forward on the development of our educational and outreach tools and resources successfully. We are also now revisiting the interview data using natural language processing and machine learning to produce additional peer-reviewed publications. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Hiring Tim Harrold, undergraduate computer science student at the University of Vermont, to develop the website has enabled training and professional development for Tim and Carolyn, graduate research assistant on the project, in website design and creation. Appointing Nick Cheney, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Vermont, and Bradford Demarest, postdoctoral associate at the University of Vermont's Neurobotics Lab, to conduct the natural language processing analysis has enabled training and education on the use of this research method for the research team. We also conducted a hybrid in-person and virtual team meeting in New Hampshire in early April 2022 to discuss the direction of the project, key outcomes, future research, and professional opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The research results and climate change adaptation resources were highlighted and disseminated to farmers, agricultural advisors and experts, and researchers in the New England region during this reporting period at the following conferences, workshops, and webinars: No-Till Production on Heavy Cover Crop Residue Virtual Workshop, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. December 9, 2021. Birthisel, S., Lounsbury, N., Maher, R. "Tarping and Solarization." Research Roundtable, New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference. December 13, 2021. Schattman, R., Saunders. "Climate Adaptation Strategies on the Farm." Conference Session, New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference. December 13, 2021 Irrigation and Water Storage Virtual Workshop, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. January 19, 2022. Silvopasture Virtual Workshop, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Faulkner, J. "Research Updates from the University of Vermont." Conference Session, Vermont Grazing and Livestock Conference, January 21, 2022. Daigneault, A. "Climate Adaptation for Vegetable Farms." Research Nugget Presentation, Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association Annual Meeting. January 25, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuyCxEpqeNw&t=75s Niles, M., Faulkner, J., Andrews, A., Krawczyk, M. "Climate Change Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers." Spring Growth Conference, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. March 5, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lBbL2FFHis Niles, M., MacFarland, K., Hricko, C. Climate Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers - Part 1: Livestock Enterprises. U.S. Department of Agriculture Northeast Climate Hub. March 29, 2022. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northeast/events/climate-adaptation-resources-northern-new-england-farmers-part-1-livestock Niles, M., Birthisel, S., Andrews, A., Mendell, T., Hricko, C. Climate Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers - Part 2: Vegetable Production Systems. U.S. Department of Agriculture Northeast Climate Hub. March 29, 2022. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northeast/events/climate-adaptation-resources-northern-new-england-farmers-part-2-vegetable What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During this reporting period, we focused on Goals 1, 2 and 3. Key updates to April 30, 2022 Updates related to Goal 1: Academic paper on mental models research was published on June 9, 3021 Clements, R. S., Birthisel, S. K., Daigneault, A., Gallandt, E., Johnson, D., Wentworth, T., & Niles, M. T. (2021). Climate change in the context of whole-farming systems: opportunities for improved outreach. Climatic Change, 166(3), 1-20. https://nefarmclimate.com/resources/Clements%20et%20al.%20-%202021%20-%20Climate%20change%20in%20the%20context%20of%20whole-farming%20sys.pdf Appointed Nick Cheney, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Vermont, and Bradford Demarest, postdoctoral associate at the University of Vermont's Neurobotics Lab, to conduct an additional analysis of the farmer and external expert interview data using natural language processing. This research examines whether and how farmers and nonfarmers speak differently both in general and about climate change specifically. Developed plans to develop an academic paper on the natural language processing analysis of how farmers and nonfarmers speak differently about climate change. Developed plans for another natural language processing analysis that examines how farmers and nonfarmers talk about aspects of wellbeing. The team plans to build on the mental model outcomes, where there were differences in the ways that these groups discuss financial topics and social wellbeing and look at whether there are broader ways to talk about livelihoods, wellbeing, economics, and identify the implications this may have for outreach and communication. Developed plans for developing five additional academic research papers in the period following the end of the grant: Tools paper (share the tools, how they were developed, source code) Synthesis paper (research methods start to finish, how process led to different outcomes, lessons learned) Commentary paper on the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture and social science research Updates related to Goal 2: Finalized the visualization and economic tools and accompanying overview briefs for three agricultural practices, silvopasture, tarping, and irrigation. We continued to work with Holly Greenleaf of Greenleaf Design to finalize the visualizations. This process included consultation with and review and feedback from external topic area experts and working with an outside graphic designer, Kirsten Thompson, to create the final briefs. Updates related to Goal 3: Hired Tim Harrold, undergraduate computer science student at the University of Vermont, to develop a website to host these resources and serve as an outreach platform. The resources (economic tool, visualizations, briefs, and website) were shared with the New England farming community through webinars, workshops, and regional conferences in the winter of 2021-2022. Included New England farmers and topic area experts in some of these outreach events (more details below). Overall, our team was incredibly successful in meeting or exceeding the targets for this grant. This includes: - 4 teaching tools (goal 4-6) including a project website, visualization tools for three practices for cliamte change adaptation, three economic tools for each of the three practices, and three practice overview briefs for each of the three practices. Surveys from farmers who utilizes these tools indicated that 90%-100% were likely to pursue information about the tools and climate adaptation after seeing them (target was 50-75%). - Attendance at workshops and webinars- we set a goal for 280 to attend workshops and webinars. We reached a minimum of 313 people directly in person or virtual through our presentations, with hundreds more reached through YouTube and USDA Climate Hub webinar downloads. - 5 general audience briefs or reports (Target 3). These include briefs on silvopasture, tarping, and irrigation, as well as a tarping guide to the Northeast and a brief on our mental model interviews and results. - 1 peer-reviewed publication, with 3-5 additional planned and in the works (Target 4-6 total). These were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited our ability to collect more research data for publications.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Hricko, C., Birthisel, S., Daigneault, A., Faulkner, J., Gallandt, E., Holtzman, B., Hurley, S., Lane, E., Schattman, R., Niles, M. (2022) Climate Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers: Silvopasture. https://nefarmclimate.com/resources/briefs/Silvopasture%203.2.22%20website.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Hricko, C., Birthisel, S., Daigneault, A., Faulkner, J., Gallandt, E., Holtzman, B., Hurley, S., Lane, E., Schattman, R., Niles, M. (2022) Using Tarping in Cover Crop Mulch and Conservation Tillage Systems. https://nefarmclimate.com/resources/briefs/Tarping%203.2.22%20website.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Hricko, C., Birthisel, S., Daigneault, A., Faulkner, J., Gallandt, E., Holtzman, B., Hurley, S., Lane, E., Schattman, R., Niles, M. (2022) Climate Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers: Irrigation. https://nefarmclimate.com/resources/briefs/Irrigation%203.2.22%20website.pdf
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Lounsbury, N., Birthisel, S., Lilley, J., Maher, R. Tarping in the Northeast: A Guide for Small Farms. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Bulletin #1075. https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2022/04/1075-Tarping-Guide_April2022.pdf
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Clements, Ruth S,, "Farmer Engagement Through Mental Modeling: Opportunities for Climate Change Outreach" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3390.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/3390
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Climate Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers
Authors: Carolyn Hricko, University of Vermont; Meredith Niles, University of Vermont; Adam Daigneault,University of Maine; Erin Lane, USDA Northeast Climate Hub; Rachel Schattman, University of Maine; Sonja Birthisel, University of Maine; Eric Gallandt, University of Maine; Ruth Clements, University of Maine; Joshua Faulkner, University of Vermont; Stephanie Hurley, University of Vermont; Beth Holtzman, University of Vermont Extension; Tim Harrold, University of Vermont.
PResentation at Agriculture and Human Values Conference. University of GEorgia, May 2022.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
The project website, Climate Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers (nefarmclimate.com) hosts information about climate change in New England, the research project, team, and research process, methods, publications, and briefs. It also presents the information in the practice overview briefs in a webpage format with the option of downloading the print and web versions of the briefs. Includes the economic tool as an interactive estimator that allows farmers to input characteristics unique to their farm to generate economic outputs such as estimated costs, revenue, profit, cumulative revenue, break-even point, and other metrics. The visualization tool is also presented in an interactive format that allows the viewer to progress through stages of practice implementation. The website also hosts links to recorded webinars and presentations on this project and these resources.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Clements, R.S., Birthisel, S.K., Daigneault, A. et al. Climate change in the context of whole-farming systems: opportunities for improved outreach. Climatic Change 166, 40 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-021-03101-4
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
" No-Till Production on Heavy Cover Crop Residue Virtual Workshop, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. December 9, 2021.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
" Birthisel, S., Lounsbury, N., Maher, R. Tarping and Solarization. Research Roundtable, New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference. December 13, 2021.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
" Schattman, R., Saunders. Climate Adaptation Strategies on the Farm. Conference Session, New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference. December 13, 2021
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
" Faulkner, J. Research Updates from the University of Vermont. Conference Session, Vermont Grazing and Livestock Conference, January 21, 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Niles, M., Faulkner, J., Andrews, A., Krawczyk, M. Climate Change Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers. Spring Growth Conference, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. March 5, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lBbL2FFHis
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Niles, M., MacFarland, K., Hricko, C. Climate Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers - Part 1: Livestock Enterprises. U.S. Department of Agriculture Northeast Climate Hub. March 29, 2022. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northeast/events/climate-adaptation-resources-northern-new-england-farmers-part-1-livestock
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
" Niles, M., Birthisel, S., Andrews, A., Mendell, T., Hricko, C. Climate Adaptation Resources for Northern New England Farmers - Part 2: Vegetable Production Systems. U.S. Department of Agriculture Northeast Climate Hub. March 29, 2022. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northeast/events/climate-adaptation-resources-northern-new-england-farmers-part-2-vegetable
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Daigneault, A. Climate Adaptation for Vegetable Farms. Research Nugget Presentation, Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers Association Annual Meeting. January 25, 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuyCxEpqeNw&t=75s
|
Progress 05/01/20 to 04/30/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this work is farmers and agricultural advisors in Northern New England. During this reporting period, we have reached participants of the Maine Sustainability and Water Conference in Orono, Maine and landowners, farmers and outreach providers who attended the Riparian Buffers Practitioners virtual meeting in March 2021: Hurley, S. "Photovisualization of Riparian Buffers for landowners, farmers & outreach providers." March 10, 2021. Riparian Buffers Practitioners Meeting. We also developed an outreach and communications plan for sharing this research and the climate change adaptation resources with the New England farming community through webinars, workshops, and regional conferences in winter 2021-2022. Changes/Problems:We continued to face challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, this included inability to meet as a full team for travel. But, we continued virtual meetings. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We hired a graduate research assistant, Carolyn Hricko, to support this research project. This has enabled training and professional development in project management, data management, statistical analysis, literature review and synthesis, and designing photovisualizations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The mental models research was shared with participants of the Maine Sustainability and Water Conference in Orono, Maine and landowners, farmers and outreach providers who attended the Riparian Buffers Practitioners virtual meeting in March 2021. The research team developed an outreach and communications plan to disseminate the climate change adaptation resources to farmers, agricultural advisors, and researchers in New England during the next reporting period. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will finalize the economic and visualization tools, practice over briefs, build a website to house these tools as well as other project information and resources, and disseminate these resources through workshops, webinars, and conference presentations. We also plan to appoint Nick Cheney, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Vermont, and Bradford Demarest, postdoctoral associate at the University of Vermont's Neurobotics Lab, to conduct a natural language processing analysis of the interview data. We also plan to appoint Tim Harrold, undergraduate computer science student at the University of Vermont, to work with the research team to build a website to host the resources and other project materials, and appoint Kirsten Thompson, graphic designer, to finalize the overview briefs
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During this reporting period, we focused on Goals 1, 2 and 3. Key updates to April 30, 2021 Updates related to Goal 1: Submitted academic paper on mental model work on August 7, 2020. It was accepted on April 19, 2021 and published online on June 9, 2021. Clements, R. S., Birthisel, S. K., Daigneault, A., Gallandt, E., Johnson, D., Wentworth, T., & Niles, M. T. (2021). Climate change in the context of whole-farming systems: opportunities for improved outreach. Climatic Change, 166(3), 1-20. https://nefarmclimate.com/resources/Clements%20et%20al.%20-%202021%20-%20Climate%20change%20in%20the%20context%20of%20whole-farming%20sys.pdf Updates related to Goal 2: Analyzed farmer feedback on the climate change adaptation resources gathered at the focus groups. Reviewed information on New England farmers' plans and needs for climate change adaptation. Inventoried and assessed gaps in existing climate change adaptation resources. Integrated the above research with the analysis of farmer and agricultural expert interviews to identify three agricultural practices (silvopasture, irrigation, and tarping) and two tools (visualizations and economic tool) that are of particular need and interest to New England farmers. Developed drafts of the visualization and economic tools as well as overview briefs with additional resources for each of the three agricultural practices. Hired Holly Greenleaf of Greenleaf Design to design and create the visualizations in collaboration with the research team. Updates related to Goal 3: Communicated mental models research findings in a March 2021 virtual presentation at the Maine Sustainability and Water Conference in Orono, Maine. Shared photovisualization resource in a March 2021 webinar for landowners, farmers and outreach providers at a Riparian Buffers Practitioners Meeting. Developed an outreach and communications plan to share with the New England farming community through webinars, workshops, and regional conferences in winter 2021-2022.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Clements, R. S., Birthisel, S. K., Daigneault, A., Gallandt, E., Johnson, D., Wentworth, T., & Niles, M. T. (2021). Climate change in the context of whole-farming systems: opportunities for improved outreach. Climatic Change, 166(3), 1-20.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Hurley, S. Photovisualization of Riparian Buffers for landowners, farmers & outreach providers. March 10, 2021. Riparian Buffers Practitioners Meeting.
|
Progress 05/01/19 to 04/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for the interviews with farmers and external experts related to climate change have been diversified farmers (e.g. vegetable, beef, maple) and external experts (e.g. extension, industry, non-profit, climatologists). The results of the mental models research were also shared with these groups, as well as university and high school students, educators and researchers. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic restricted our ability to fully complete our focus groups as of April 2020. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We continued working with a research assistant, Thomas Wentworth, and two graduate research assistants, Devon Johnson, a food systems masters student at the University of Vermont and Ruthie Clements, an ecology and environmental studies masters student at the University of Maine, on the mental models research. This has involved training with interviewing, mental modelling, statistical analysis, and research communication. We also provided an independent study opportunity for a food systems doctoral student at the University of Vermont, Carolyn Hricko, and provided training for and professional experience with conducting focus groups and data management and analysis. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The mental model research was also shared with students at the University of Maine, visitors to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association annual Common Ground Fair, high school girls, and with farmers through one invited talk, one virtual presentation, three workshops, and two lectures. This work was also shared during the previous reporting period. It was presented to University of Maine students in a December 2018 invited lecture and to attendees of the Maine Agricultural Trades Show in a January 2019 workshop. Lectures S.K. Birthisel (2018, December). Global and US perspectives on climate change and agriculture. Invited lecture for UMaine Principles of Sustainable Agriculture class, Orono, ME. S.K. Birthisel (2019, October). Farmers' Tools & Resources. Invited classroom lecture and discussion for UMaine Climate Adaptation course, Orono, ME. R. Clements (2019, October). Human Dimensions of Climate Resilience Research. Invited classroom lecture and discussion for UMaine Ecology and Environmental Sciences Capstone course, Orono, ME. Invited talk S.K. Birthisel (2019, April). Adapting Maine farms to climate change. Invited talk at Merryspring Nature Center, Camden, ME. Workshop S.K. Birthisel & E.H. Roche (2019, January). Weather tool show and tell. Workshop at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Augusta, ME. S.K. Birthisel, R. Clements, & A. Daigneault (2019, September). Climate adaptation for Maine farms. Workshop at MOFGA Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, ME. R. Clements & S.K. Birthisel (2019, October). Sustainable Farming in a Changing Climate. Invited workshop for middle school girls at Expanding Your Horizons STEM event, Orono, ME. R. Clements, S.K. Birthisel, R. Schattman & A. Daigneault (2019, November). Climate Change Adaptation Strategies. Workshop at MOFGA Farmer to Farmer Conference, Northport, ME. The climate change adaptation resources were piloted with 28 farmers of diversified farm operations (e.g. vegetable, beef, maple) at four focus groups across New England (Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts) and New York. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will continue to develop and submit for publication the mental models academic research paper. We will also refine and develop the climate change adaptation resources for farmers and create an outreach plan for communicating and sharing these resources and research.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Key updates to April 30, 2020 Updates related to Goal 1: Completed remaining formal external expert interviews in Vermont (8) and with farmers in Maine (9) Analyzed the interview data and: Developed and published in December 2019 a research brief on these interviews the mental models analysis (https://womeninag.extension.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Farmer-Advisor-Mental-Models-Brief_1_2020.pdf) Developed an academic research paper on this research Updates related to Goal 2: Developed climate change adaptation resources - virtual tours, a climate change resource database, visualizations of climate change adaptation practices, and an economic tool to aid farmers in budgeting and planning for climate change adaptation Four farmer focus groups were conducted in the winter of 2019-2020 in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire to pilot and gather feedback on these climate change adaptation resources. A total of 28 farmers from across New England (Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts) and New York provided feedback on these tools through small group discussions and surveys. Vermont Grazing & Livestock Conference - 13 participants Vermont Farm Show - 4 participants New England Vegetable & Berry Conference (NH) - 7 participants University of Maine, Presque Isle - 4 participants Updates related to Goal 3: Disseminated mental models research brief. Shared results of mental model research in numerous workshops, invited talks, and lectures detailed below.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Johnson, D., Niles, M. T., Wentworth, T., Faulkner, J., Birthisel, S., Clements, R. (2019) What do Northern New England Farmers Need to Adapt to Climate Change? A comparison of farmer and agricultural advisor perspectives and needs. The University of Vermont College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. https://womeninag.extension.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Farmer-Advisor-Mental-Models-Brief_1_2020.pdf
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
S.K. Birthisel, R. Clements, & A. Daigneault (2019, September). Climate adaptation for Maine farms. Workshop at MOFGA Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, ME
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
R. Clements & S.K. Birthisel (2019, October). Sustainable Farming in a Changing Climate. Invited workshop for middle school girls at Expanding Your Horizons STEM event, Orono, ME.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
R. Clements, S.K. Birthisel, R. Schattman & A. Daigneault (2019, November). Climate Change Adaptation Strategies. Workshop at MOFGA Farmer to Farmer Conference, Northport, ME.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
S.K. Birthisel & E.H. Roche (2019, January). Weather tool show and tell. Workshop at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Augusta, ME.
|
Progress 05/01/18 to 04/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:For this first year we have been focusing on interviews with farmers and external experts related to climate change. Thus, our target audiences have been diversified farmers (e.g. vegetable, beef, maple) and external experts (e.g. extension, industry, non-profit, climatologists). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We have hired two graduate student assistants, one post-doctorate, and one research assistant to gain skill sets and engage with our research group. This has enabled training in: interviewing, IRB applications, mental modelling, statistical analysis, and resources development. In addition, we held an in person meeting for our whole team (UVM and UMaine) where we provided training and overview of mental modelling to the rest of the team, and worked on developing key indicators of success and brainstorming existing resources related to our topic. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Thus far we are still conducting analysis. Mental models have been shared back to farmers and experts. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will transition from interviews to data analysis and then inventorying existing climate adaptation resources this summer. We hope that through inventorying the extent of resources already available we will provide insight into what is missing and what our project may do to fill this gap. We will also begin developing resources to pilot with farmers in focus groups next winter.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Thus far we have focused on goal 1. Key updates to April 15, 2019 Background, research design and IRB: Conducted extensive literature review on the theory and application of Mental Models, with a particular focus on application to the agriculture sector. Designed and piloted expert interview survey and mental model exercise. The survey instrument received UMaine IRB approval in December 2018 and UVM IRB approval in Winter 2019. Research Conducted formal interviews with 8 agricultural sector and climate change research experts from Maine between December 2018 and January 2019. The interviewees consisted of 2 agriculture faculty, 2 extension faculty, 2 climatologists, and 2 crop advisers. Conducted formal interviews with 12 farmers in Vermont between March and April 2019. Began conducting formal interviews with external experts in Vermont in April 2019. Eight are scheduled. Conducted formal interviews with 6 vegetable and livestock farmers in Maine between March 15 and April 15, with another 9 scheduled to be interviewed before the end of May 2019. Analysis Results from the expert mental model exercise in Maine and the farmer interviews in Vermont have been compiled and compared across the different interviewees. Statistical analysis has been conducted on the expert mental models in Maine to determine if the sample size was large enough. Preliminary results indicate that the results did trend towards saturation after about 6 responses (in terms of identifying any 'new' important concepts associated with the mental model). Statistical analysis is being conducted on the Vermont farmer interviews to determine the same saturation. Personnel and Professional Development Hired one Post-Doctoral Researcher at UMaine, Dr. Sonja Birthisel, to work half-time on the grant. Ms. Birthisel has a background in agricultural systems and farmer outreach. She has contributed to survey design, mental model experiment design, pilot testing, expert interviews, and farmer interviews. Appointed one Graduate Research Assistant at UMaine, Ruth Sexton, who is pursuing a MS in Ecology and Environmental Studies to work on the project. Ms. Sexton has contributed to survey design, mental model experiment design, pilot testing, expert interviews, and farmer interviews Appointed one Graduate Research Assistant at UVM, Devon Johnson, who is pursuing an MS in food systems to work on the project. Devon has contributed to survey design, mental model experiment design, pilot testing, expert interviews, and farmer interviews Appointed one research assistant, Thomas Wentworth, to assist in statistical analysis, mental model analysis, and interviews. Conducted an in person whole team meeting in New Hampshire in March 2019 to discuss the direction of the project and key outcomes.
Publications
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