Successful crop production in the U.S. Corn Belt is closely connected with favorable temperature and precipitation patterns, but ongoing changes in the climate system are creating serious challenges for farm management. Incorporating climate information into farming decisions is one way to reduce economic risks and production losses. However, research shows the majority of farmers and agricultural advisors underutilize climate information.  Useful to Usable (U2U): Transforming Climate Variability and Change Information for Cereal Crop Producers is a USDA-NIFA supported research and extension project focused on improving the usability of climate information for agricultural production in the Midwestern United States. Our highly diverse team of experts includes partners from nine Midwestern universities specializing in climatology, agronomy, crop modeling, information technology, evaluation, Extension, economics and other social sciences. Together we are integrating biophysical and social science research to develop usable climate-based decision support tools for farmers and agricultural advisors.

This session will feature a holistic view of U2U project activities and outcomes. Topics include:

• using social science research to improve decision support tool design and communication;
• how crop and economic modeling can help us understand potential climate impacts and adaptation strategies;
• a look at new web-based tools to support agricultural decision-making;
• using partnerships, outreach and evaluation to improve the use and uptake of climate information.

Approved for 2.0 CM CEUs.