Developing Role of NRCS in USDA Climate Hub Implementation.

Seven USDA Regional Hubs for Risk Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change were initiated in early 2014 with the expectation to deliver science-based, regionally-specific data and information to assist farmers, ranchers, and foresters.  This initial year is being used to engage cooperators, build partnerships, and develop roles of each USDA agency in the hubs.  NRCS has developed numerous climate and soils datasets and integrated tools that can contribute to hub outreach activities.  Multiple NRCS programs and conservation planning have a target to build resilience into soils via both adaptation and mitigation activities.  Promoting Soil Health Management Systems has been a recent initiative to educate producers on the importance of increasing implementation of soil health-building conservation practices/systems including cover crops, reduced tillage, and crop rotation. These activities increase soil carbon and improve soil quality–outcomes that mitigate climate change and increase resiliency of production systems.  Regional vulnerability assessments are being initiated and results of this work will be useful in coordinating targeted conservation practices/systems from which outcomes could then be used to evaluate regional impacts.