Climate Hubs

In an attempt to address what it says are increasing risks of droughts, floods, invasive pests and wildfires associated with climate change the USDA is establishing regional Climate Hubs. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says that the seven regional hubs plus three additional sub-hubs will translate research and science into information that farmers, ranchers and forest landowners can use to help them adapt and adjust their land and resource management in dealing with extreme weather patterns. The Climate Hubs announcement came on the heels of the President’s State of the Union Address in which he pledged to act on climate change. Several lawmakers have expressed support of the President’s Climate Action Plan, but there are those who say that they hope it isn’t a masked attempt by the administration to put more restrictions on farmers or efforts to implement climate change regulations that would threaten the success of family farm businesses. Reportedly the climate hub program will not require additional funds beyond the $120 million the USDA currently spends each year on climate research, but an actual cost of the program has yet to be released.