CSU Climate Smart Agriculture Initiatives Ron Meyer CSU

CSU Climate Smart Agriculture Initiatives Ron Meyer, CSU Extension, Golden Plains Area Lou Swanson, Vice President for Engagement and Director of CSU Extension

Kim’s Title: Climate Smart Agriculture -- haven’t we always been smart about the climate? Yes, you have been!

Climate Smart Ag—-haven’t we always been smart about the climate? Colorado Wheat Growers and CSU have been working together for at least half a century. Together, the Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension have co-created programs with Wheat Growers that address drought, plant and insect pests, productivity, soil health, farming systems, and shifting demands by consumers. Scott Haley’s research -- But also, Ron Meyer, Raj Khosla, Peterson, Jerry Johnson, Frank Peairs, Phil Westra and many others

Office of Engagement Initiative Colorado Water Institute: Reagan Waskom and Brad Udall College of Agriculture Extension Faculty: Raj Khosla CSU Extension Peaks and Plains Agents and Front Range Agents CSU Online: Mike Macklin

ü Office of Engagement Initiative in partnership with: Ø Office of the Vice President for Research Ø College of Agricultural Sciences Ø Scott College of Engineering and the Department of Atmospheric Sciences Ø Warner College of Natural Resources Ø Offices of the Provost and President

Some Guiding Principles for CSA Programs: ü Farmers and ranchers lead program development. ü Professional development training for CSU Extension agents on the science of climate and weather variability ü Farmers and ranchers already are responding to changing weather patterns ü Farmers and ranchers are long-term stewards of their land resources. ü Continuation of collaboration among farmers-ranchers, CSU Agricultural Experiment Station, and CSU Extension

Quick review of CSU’s Climate Smart Agriculture initiatives to date.

Extension Listening Sessions • 4 Listening Sessions – Pueblo, Akron, Adams County – Adobe Connect session with Western Region agents – Total of ~ 30 Agents • Findings – Producers and Agents aware of climatic changes – Great reluctance to tie these changes to human actions – Support for CSU Climate-Smart Ag Initiative – Agents want more information on the science of weather and climate

Climate-Smart Ag Newsletter

Climate-Smart Ag Conference – May 5

Developing Online CSA Relevant Courses • Developing Online Climate Change, weather variability and Ag Courses • Target: Extension Agents and Producers • Format: Short Mini-courses • Likely Topics Climate Change Basics Climate Change and the Water Cycle What is Climate Smart Agriculture? Agricultural GHG Mitigation Climate Change Myths Soil Health Range Management and Climate Change – Livestock Health and Climate Change – Agriculture Risk and Resilience – – – –

Other Activities • CSA Web Page on Engagement homepage • Jay Arbuckle (Iowa State) Visit – Faculty, Extension, State Government Meetings • Tom Vilsack Visit to Campus • Interface with Governor’s Staff • Participation with USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub Activities • Presentations to Western Dairy, Farm Bureau, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Farm Show, Colorado Wheat, and others

Online Training for CSU Extension Agents and Public ü CSU Online is a division of the Office of Engagement Ø Blending program initiatives within the Office of Engagement § Certified Gardner Program – Badging format ü 24/7 Asynchronous program delivery for easy access ü CSU Online is a CSU enterprise, receives no funding from CSU but creates revenue for the colleges by delivering their degrees and non-credit programs.

Delivery - Online Training Basics of Climate Smart Agriculture Colorado State University Climate Smart Agriculture Digital Badge Program

Reward The power behind the digital badge… META DATA • • • Recipient | Business Owner Evidence | Instructor Assessment Expires | November 30, 2019 Issued Date | November 30, 2016 Version | 1. 0 Badge Specific – – Name | Basic of Climate Smart Agriculture Description | Core Climate Functions Criteria | Learning Objectives Issuer • Origin | Colorado State University Online • Name | Colorado Water Institute

Reward Badge Hierarchy Development • Trek Badges – Building blocks for Quest badges, and are the most granular level of badge. They can be earned individually, or grouped together to earn a Quest badge. • Quest Badges – Building blocks for Mastery badges. They can be earned individually, or grouped together to earn a Mastery badge. • Mastery Badge – Earned upon completion of all Quest badges within a program, indicating by default, completion of all Trek badges within a program. The Mastery badge is earned when the entire program’s curriculum has been completed

Climate Smart Agriculture • CSU Online in partnership with the Colorado Water Institute and CSU Extension is working to develop a non-credit program designed to serve Extension, state and federal agencies, farmers and the public on the topic of climate smart agriculture. Proposed Course Topics • Climate Change Basics • Agricultural Findings of 2014 National Assessment • What is Climate Smart Agriculture? • Agricultural Risk and Resiliency • Implementing Climate Smart Agriculture • Climate Change and the Water Cycle • • Soil Health Ecosystem Impacts Climate Change and Human Health Range Management and Climate Change Livestock Health and Climate US Climate Change Adaptation State of Colorado Climate Change Initiative

CSU Extension blends its programs with the other Office of Engagement Divisions ü CSU Online – Certified Gardner Program is online in a ‘Badging’ format. ü CSU Extension’s water programs are integrated with and managed by the Colorado Water Institute ü Climate Smart Agriculture certification programs

CSU Extension 104 years of Engagement and Outreach to Colorado Thank You