Extension Agents’ Perceptions of Climate Change and Training Needs

Abstract

Core Ideas: The majority of extension agents believed the climate was changing and that it was caused by both natural changes and human activities. The priority of climate change for extension was lower than for the federal category, indicating potential educational need areas in relevant adaptation strategies for farmers and examples of local climate change impacts. Specific need areas identified for training included weather variability, agronomic decisions, disease, and pests. With the current and expected impacts of climate change on the agricultural industry, it is important to provide information to farmers to allow them to adapt and reduce their risk of loss. Extension agents are an important resource and serve as intermediaries between scientists and farmers to provide this information. There is little research, however, related to agents’ perceptions of and needs for climate change–related information and no research in the southeastern United States. Survey research was conducted in 2018 with all extension agents in Tennessee who had responsibilities in agriculture and natural resources (n = 138), leading to a response rate of 72% (n = 100). Most agents (78%) believed climate was changing and was caused by both natural changes and human activities (62%). Agents believed climate change was a greater (medium + high + very high level) priority for the federal government (72%) than for extension (58%), which may indicate needs related to understanding potential adaptation strategies for farmers and local examples of impacts of climate change. In general, across the pertinent demographic information collected, older, male agents with more extension experience were less likely to agree that the climate is changing and more likely to identify lower priority levels for climate change in extension. Specific need areas identified by agents and their stakeholders included information on weather variability, agronomic decisions, disease, and pests.