How to talk with ranchers about drought and climate resilience: Lessons from knowledge exchange workshops in Montana

Mitch J. Lassa; Hailey Wilmer; Madison Boone; Zach Brown; Justin D. Derner; Dannele E. Peck; Carmen Thissen; Clayton Marlow

Treesearch

How to talk with ranchers about drought and climate resilience: Lessons from knowledge exchange workshops in Montana

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Mitch J. Lassa, Hailey Wilmer, Madison Boone, Zach Brown, Justin D. Derner, Dannele E. Peck, Carmen Thissen, Clayton Marlow

Year:

2020

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Source:

Journal of Extension. 58(5): v58-5rb1.

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Download (PDF 620 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/61765.pdf

Abstract

This article offers the Extension community a pathway to drought resilience and climate-related conversations through knowledge exchange workshops. In 2017, a "flash drought" affected eastern Montana, and ranchers in the region faced numerous challenges. Moreover, drought-favorable climate conditions are predicted to increase for the region. We held five workshops to facilitate an exchange of adaptive drought management strategies, focusing on key themes for drought resilience: (a) drought planning and adaptive management, (b) use of local knowledge networks, (c) flexible stocking and grazing, and (d) adaptation to shifting baselines. Extension can use this approach to foster multidirectional knowledge sharing to strengthen ranching resilience to drought conditions.

Keywords

Drought management, agriculture, Montana, climate, adaptation

Citation

Lassa, Mitch J.; Wilmer, Hailey; Boone, Madison; Brown, Zach; Derner, Justin D.; Peck, Dannele E.; Thissen, Carmen; Marlow, Clayton. 2020. How to talk with ranchers about drought and climate resilience: Lessons from knowledge exchange workshops in Montana. Journal of Extension. 58(5): v58-5rb1.