Alabama Agricultural Stakeholder’s Perceptions of Weather and Climate-Based Information and the Influence of these Perceptions on the Decision-Making

Abstract

Climate change is causing long-term weather changes such as increases in temperature and variations in precipitation. Climate change can have major effects on producers as agriculture is dependent on the weather. The adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) is one way to increase resilience. Careful considerations are required to adopt CSA tools and practices including when and which technologies are used, how much they will cost in both the short-term, and what long-term benefits are expected. The complexities in decision-making require understandings of how producers and their advisors articulate weather and climate perceptions and how they perceive the role of CSA. Understanding these perceptions aids in the co-development of knowledge (CDK) process. CDK is an emerging strategy for producing research that is meaningful and useful to agricultural stakeholders. To explore one aspect of the CDK process, this thesis examines two key questions: “How do stakeholders (i.e. producers, crop consultants, Extension agents) perceive weather and climate?” and “How do these perceptions influence the use of climate-smart technology?” For this analysis, 38 interviews including producers (n=25), crop consultants (n=6), and Extension field agents (n=7), as well as 23 stakeholder events were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Through meteorological, technological, and socioeconomic keyword searches, perceptions among all stakeholders studied were found to be more negative toward weather and climate (e.g., perceived distrust and uncertainty in weather forecasts). There were fewer positive mentions (e.g., beneficial weather phenomena). Making decisions for the farm is a multi-faceted issue. Weather is one influence in the use of climate-smart technology; however, weather is not the only factor influencing these decisions as economics is also a crucial factor in decision-making.