Knowledge Bank

Climate risk presents challenges to people and places around the world, and sectors like agriculture are highly vulnerable. Like many individuals who experience the pressures associated with climate risk, farmers worry about physical harm, policy implications, social consequences, and pressures related to profitability and labor. At the same time, farmers hold the potential to address and mitigate climate risk. Little is known about perceptions of farmers – specifically, perceptions of farmers’ roles in climate change.

A researcher-developed survey was launched nationally and 2,191 individuals participated. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three constructs within the 22 items rated by participants to measure farmers’ roles in climate risk. The factors captured different aspects related to farmers’ involvement in climate risk including, 1) farmer response to climate risk, 2) farmer challenges with climate change, and 3) farmer protections. Overall, participants were most supportive of the farmer response to climate change, which had items that focused on farmers’ beliefs in and feelings about climate change, and their willingness to adapt. The item with the highest overall mean was “Farmers deserve support in navigating the effects of climate change on their farms and ranches,” and the item with the lowest overall mean was “Farmers believe in climate change less than many other groups.” Few differences in perceptions existed between regional groups, and participants shared largely neutral responses on many items.

As those in agriculture seek mitigation strategies to adapt to climate change an understanding of perceptions about farmers in this area will be key. The data in this study suggest U.S. residents appear to hold a largely neutral stance on the issue but do hold some support for farmers. As no region was partial to extreme opinion toward farmers' roles in climate change there may be a unique opportunity for communicators to encourage greater understanding of both farmer and rancher roles in climate change to a population in a possible state of open-mindedness and neutrality.