[Market-farming] Climate Change, Risk and Phenology

Roots Farm & Karen Sutherland rootsfarm at cwdom.dm
Mon Jul 20 11:09:38 EDT 2009


We've probably all been affected by the increased risk and rising  
uncertainty produced by climate change with its negative effects on  
financial maintainability of our farms.  Prescriptions, especially  
those based on averages of past discrete measurements (for example,  
best calendar date to plant corn, expected first/last frost date,  
average rainfall for month of July, etc.) are no longer proving a  
reliable guide.  I am wondering if phenology (the use of natural  
signals that integrate more conditions than we ever could hope to  
measure -- for example, plant corn when oak leaves are as big as  
squirrel's ears, do X when such and such blooms, etc.) offer any more  
hope for risk reduction.  I am aware that many species have died out  
because their natural abilities did not equip them to meet changing  
times/conditions and that integrating past conditions does not  
guarantee valid information for future results.

Anybody else interested in this stuff?

Anybody have other ideas for risk reduction (e.g., promotion of  
diversity, building community/interconnections, etc.) in the midst of  
climate change?

Best wishes to all,

Karen

Roots Farm
Organic Produce
Fruits, Roots, Vegetables & Herbs
Cockrane, DOMINICA
767-449-3038
rootsfarm at cwdom.dm

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