The Food & Ideas Gathering (FIG) seminar series wrapped up its first semester of programming last week with a panel of Vermont farmers on the topic of how climate change has and continues to affect their livelihoods.
FIG is a monthly event sponsored by the Food Systems Research Center (FSRC) and the Food Systems Graduate Program. This speaker series aims to foster research collaboration, create community, and engage in conversation about transdisciplinary approaches to issues and solutions within the food system.
The panel consisted of Matt Lasser from , Hilary Martin from , Bruce Hennessey from , and Ransom Conant from . Kate Longfield from the served as moderator.
“Climate change has impacted us significantly,” shared Ransom Conant. “We were inundated with the flood in July which resulted in losing probably 30-40% of our forage corn and 30-40% of our hay crop. Those are big numbers, tough numbers."
Hilary Martin spoke about the personal impact from this summer's flooding. “We don’t have the emotional stamina to really weather this. Not to mention the finances,” said Hilary Martin. “How do we plan the farm so that when and if we get hit, we come back that much better?”
Flooding has been huge, but not the only issue pressing on the farms. They struggled with unpredictable frost dates, compressed growing season, heat, longer periods of drought, and other aspects of the changing climate.
After the panelists spoke, the conversation continued with questions from ̽̽ staff, students, and faculty.
“We are grateful to the farmers for sharing their experience with us and look forward to how their stories might influence future research,” said Event organizer Allison Spain, Food Systems Graduate Education & Research Programs Coordinator.
The FIG speaker series will return in the spring with a new theme focused on food systems and natural sciences. Keep to date with this event and other FSRC news by .