Southeast Climate Consortium Extension Program

C. W. Fraisse, J. Bellow, N. Breuer, V. Cabrera, J. W. Jones, K. Ingram, and G. Hoogenboom

SECC Background

Origin in the Florida Climate Consortium (FCC) formed in 1996 - Argentina

Shifted focus to Florida in 1998 (initial support by NOAA-OGP and them RISA)

In 2002 initiated interactions and joint activities with GA, shifted focus to SE USA

Additional funding from USDA-RMA in 2003 allowed expansion to AL

SECC Members Florida State University

Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction StudiesFlorida Climate Center

University of FloridaInstitute of Food & Agricultural Sciences

University of MiamiRosentiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences

University of GeorgiaCollege of Agricultural & Environmental SciencesGeorgia State Climatologist's Office

Auburn UniversityAuburn University Environmental Institute

University of Alabama-HuntsvilleEarth System Science CenterAlabama State Climatologist's Office

SECC Mission

To use advances in climate sciences, including improved capabilities to forecast seasonal climate, to provide scientifically sound information and decision support tools for agriculture, forestry, and water resources management in the Southeastern USA.

Our Top 3 Challenges:Large territory to

coverNew technologyDiverse agricultural

industry

Our Vision

Agricultural, forestry and natural resource managers will better cope with uncertainty and climate associated risks through routine and effective use of climate forecasts and climate related decision support tools

This includes a major role of Cooperative Extension Services through an outreach and an education program

Goal & Objectives

Main goal is to develop a climate information system in the SE USA (forecasts and decision support tools) Develop methodologies to deliver information

(Outreach) Conduct research to translate information into

DSS (R&D) Develop partnerships (Relationship Building) Document utility and impact to stakeholders

(Monitoring & Evaluation)

Approach

IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS

JOINT DEVELOPMENTOF SOLUTIONS

IMPLEMENTATIONOF DELIVERYMECHANISMS

STAKEHOLDERS

Extension Organization

Currently 3 climate extension specialists UF – September 2003 FSU – August 2004 UG – March 2005 AU, UM – planned for 2005

Extension Advisory BoardComposed of producers, county extension faculty, agribusiness and other stakeholders (under implementation)

Communication Protocols

Monthly videoconferencesExtension team will meet to discuss on going efforts and plan upcoming events

Semiannual meetings with the advisory board to report progress, set priorities, propose new initiatives

Annual meetings with extension administration to report progress and present plans for the next year

R&D – New Initiatives

New Idea

ConceptualizationTechnical & Resources Feasibility

Present to SECC Extension Team

Present to Advisory

Committee

Operations, Maintenance

Planning

Design & Coding

Reviews(Extension, Adv. Com)

ImplementationIn AgClimate

Partnerships

State Extension Services Access to local knowledge and experience Facilitate relationships with stakeholders Advise on format, language, and delivery

systems Feedback and suggestions for new potential

applications Information and technical advise to

stakeholders based on SECC decision support tools

Partnerships

State Weather Network Services

Development of updated or hybrid forecasts based on recent real-time data and forecasts

Evaluation of regional climate forecasts

Monitoring & Evaluation

In the Climate Extension Program we will monitor: Extension agent attitudes towards climate

forecast products Potential uses or adaptations by producers of

the forecast products Adoption by Extension agents and producers

of SECC climate forecast products

Monitoring & Evaluation

Evaluation of the Climate Extension Program will attempt to identify reasons for success or failure: Is the program reaching the target group of

stakeholders? Is the program delivering the products it was

designed to deliver? Measurements of program impact, impact on

extension agents, impact on producers…

Summary

A innovative climate extension program is being implemented in the SE USA

Our vision is that agricultural, forestry and natural resource managers will better cope with uncertainty and climate associated risks through routine and effective use of climate forecasts and climate related decision support tools

SECC Climate Extension

Developing climate information services to promote the competitiveness of agriculture and protect the natural resources in the Southeastern USA