Agriculturalists are not strangers to weather and climate challenges in their day-to-day operations. However, climate impacts can be one of the hardest obstacles to overcome in the agriculture industry, as livelihoods are at stake in the face of climate uncertainty. Climate impacts include, but are not limited to: freeze damage, drought, hurricanes, floods, infrastructure damage, and heat-related illnesses. For years, workers in the agricultural industry have fought to stay afloat amidst weather challenges and adapt to the ever-changing climate. In effort to support agriculturists who have been impacted by climate events, The Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety Center hosted its annual State of the Science event on March 6-7 at the Hyatt Place in downtown Gainesville, FL.
The 2023 State of the Science meeting focused on The Impact of Climate Events on Agricultural Health and Safety. The State of the Science meeting included a poster session Monday evening, followed by Tuesday’s one-day meeting with highly esteemed researchers from various institutions, including the United States Department of Agriculture, the University of Florida, Florida State University, American Farm Bureau Federation, and the University of Puerto Rico. These researchers shared current findings, resources, and collaborative efforts to help those on the front lines of climate impacts in the agricultural industry. Attendees also learned about funding opportunities from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and SCCAHS.
