Project Director: Natalia Pinzon Jimenez – Farmer Campus
Co-Project Director: Katie Brimm – Farmer Campus
Situation: A California producer shared that she learned how to better cope with the reality of wildfire and living on a farm in California. From doing the Farmer Campus online course, she shared that she came to understand that fire is not only a health and safety issue; it’s also a major economic issue. [From the course] “I learned that it’s not “if” a fire comes, it’s “when.” The Native people of California understand that fire is an integral part of our landscape. They practice land management accordingly. We can adapt this wisdom to our particular circumstances, in our operations and in our homes and communities.
Outcomes: This producer was able to keep producing and to continue stewarding the land for improved ecosystem outcomes. The course helped her to take action to ensure that her farm can carry on despite all these fires.
Impacts: Here on our farm we are putting into place some changes I learned about in the online course Farmers Build Wildfire Resilience. Before the course, I could not really bring myself to focus on what I could do about the risk…I felt overwhelmed; I was not sure of best practices; and my bottom line: I just hoped we would be spared. – CA Producer
187 farmer-ranchers demonstrated an increased confidence in their ability to respond to fires on their farms and in their regions; 20 farmers formed a support system in their region to increase their response capacity; 58 experienced farmers indicated that the Learning Network supported them in being able to pass on their knowledge; 164 connected to regional fire response and prevention networks in highrisk regions. These farmer based networks committed to building preparedness in their regions and communicating their best practices and gaps to other parts of the western region; 161 farmer-ranchers formed support systems and online networks and participated in meaningful engagement with fellow participants. Online participants connected across the in-person regional fire response and prevention networks to leverage resources and learn from one another.
“[After completing the course]…I was able to effectively create a robust plan for the property I was managing. I feel these tools, skills and knowledge are priceless, and I try to share them whenever I can.” – Farm Manager Participant Sonoma, CA.”
