Climate adaptation needs of Asian farmers in the Central Coast of California

Lauren Olivia Pong¹Samuel Ikendi¹Vikram Koundinya²Aparna Gazula^1*Tapan B Pathak¹

• ¹University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oakland, United States
• ²University of California Davis Department of Human Ecology, Davis, United States

Small-scale farmers in California are more vulnerable to adverse climate and weather related impacts, yet there is limited research on their climate adaptation needs. In this study, we conducted a needs assessment, to address the gap on climate adaptation of small-scale Asian-origin farmers in the Central Coast of California. A majority of these farmers were Chinese speaking. We developed a sampling frame of 118 usable contacts from the county Extension office database to administer the survey in online or in-person formats. We also collected farmers' verbal comments made during the in-person surveying through researcher notes. Survey responses (n=49) revealed that farmers were already building soil organic matter, altering labor schedules to cope with heat, rotating crops or intercropping, and applying for government assistance. We found a high interest and need for adaptation information on practices like reducing input use, securing access to insurance, and transitioning to renewable energy. However, lack of funding, high input costs, and regulatory compliance remained the most significant barriers to their adaptation efforts. For receiving adaptation information, farmers preferred Extension workshops and face-to-face communication. Some farmers also indicated strong preferences for farm demonstrations, field trips, and relying on their indigenous knowledge and experience gained through farming. Based on the findings, we recommend that Extension focuses on practices that reduce financial burdens. Adaptation information and tools should be made available in Chinese online and offline formats. Extension should also facilitate farmer-to-farmer extension events, such as workshops and farm demonstrations and collaborate with individual farmers who are more likely to become initial adopters of adaptation practices who will support knowledge transfer. Findings from this study will inform the development of climate adaptation programming for small-scale Asian farmers in the region.