DEVELOPING CLIMATE-ADAPTIVE POLICIES AND CAPACITIES THROUGH AN AGROECOLOGICAL LENS

There are two goals for this project: 1) project goal and 2) training and career development goal (TCD). Each of these goals have their own objectives described below.Project Goal:The long-term goal of this integrated participatory research and extension project is to improve regional food system resilience through agroecological and climate adaptation practices.Project Objective 1:Determine how food system stakeholders in Central Appalachia are perceiving and responding to climate change.Project Objective 2:Identify agroecological and climate-adaptive policy levers for sustainable and equitable food system outcomes in the region.Project Objective 3:Develop science communication capacities for and with food system leaders around agroecology, climate adaptation, and Joint Fact Finding as a model for inclusive community-based research and extension.Training and Career Development (TCD) Goal:develop requisite skills for a faculty role at the nexus of agroecology, food systems, and climate changeTCD Objective 1:Develop scholarship at the nexus of agroecology, food systems, climate change, and community-based and participatory methodologies.TCD Objective 2:Develop science outreach and policy competencies.TCD Objective 3:Develop student mentorship skills.TCD Objective 4:Build my professional network of extension and food system scholars.