The USDA Climate Change Hubs: From Research to Extension.

The accelerating pace of global climate change and the intensity of the projected effects of change represent a novel and unprecedented challenge to the sustainability of U.S. agriculture.  Existing adaptation strategies are expected to provide short term adaptive capacity, however the changes are projected to become severe enough to outstrip the ingenuity and resourcefulness that has enabled agriculture to adapt to climate over the past 100+ years.  There is thus a need for a larger scale of effort for adaptation to be successful that links scientists, developers, outreach professionals and practitioners with a structure that assures a continuing dialogue.  The USDA Climate Change Hubs were developed to meet this challenge with an agenda that features accelerated information transfer and the accessibility of regional points of contact.  The Climate Change Hubs employ a value-chain structure to mobilize USDA resources: foundational research is linked with applied research; applied research is linked with technology development and transfer. Technology development and transfer are linked with outreach, extension and program support.  While farmers, ranchers, forest and land managers have stronger linkages with outreach, extension and program support staff, opportunities for dialogue with the research and development staff are included for feedback on stakeholder needs and the effectiveness of Climate Change Hub products and services. The seven USDA Climate Change Hubs and the four sub-Hubs operated by the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the US Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service also seek to partner with, and serve as portals to, others engaged in related climate change activities, including USGS, NOAA, and many state, tribal, NGO and international organizations.   These collaborations with others are essential - as no single organization has all of the resources needed to meet the challenges of adapting agriculture to climate change.