1 CSU Climate Smart Agriculture InitiativesRon Meyer, CSU Extension, Golden Plains Area Lou Swanson, Vice President for Engagement and Director of CSU Extension THIS IS AN ALTERNATE TITLE SLIDE

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

3 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, Pete Peterson, Jerry Johnson, Frank Peairs, Phil Westra and many others

4 Office of Engagement InitiativeColorado 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

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

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

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

8 Extension Listening SessionsPueblo, 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

9 Climate-Smart Ag Newsletter

10 Climate-Smart Ag Conference – May 5

11 Developing Online CSA Relevant CoursesDeveloping 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

12 Other Activities CSA Web Page on Engagement homepageJay 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

13 Online Training for CSU Extension Agents and PublicCSU Online is a division of the Office of Engagement Blending program initiatives within the Office of Engagement Certified Gardner Program – Badging format 24/7 Asynchronous program delivery for easy access 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.

14 Delivery - Online TrainingBasics of Climate Smart Agriculture Colorado State University Climate Smart Agriculture Digital Badge Program

15 The power behind the digital badge…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

16 Badge Hierarchy DevelopmentReward 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

17 Climate Smart AgricultureCSU 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

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

19 104 years of Engagement and Outreach to ColoradoCSU Extension 104 years of Engagement and Outreach to Colorado Thank You