Food2 is an annual series of presentations and workshops created in 2006 that sought to answer this question. The 2007–2008 series is underway, commencing with The Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food.

Climate Change, Agriculture, & Community Planning:
A forum for local officials, farmers, and community leaders in the Hudson Valley

December 1, 10:00 am–3:00 pm, Glynwood Center, Cold Spring, NY

Speakers and participants had a lively discussion on the impacts of climate change on agriculture in the Hudson Valley and ways that communities and farmers can deal with these changes. The featured speakers were Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig, a NASA scientist and leading climate change expert, and Joel Russell, a nationally known community planner and land use lawyer. In addition, three Hudson Valley farmers, Paul Wigsten of Wigsten Farm, Cheryl Rogowski of W. Rogowski Farm, and Kevin Skvorak of Regeneration CSA shared their experiences with climate change and the steps they are taking to manage its effects. Approximately 40 people were in attendance, including farmers, professional planners, biologists, nutritionists, cooperative extension agents, graduate students, and members of local conservation and planning committees. The array of speakers and participants created a dynamic environment for the workshop. Attendees noted:

“Important integration of issues relevant in the Hudson Valley. Good representation of diverse stakeholders.”

“Raised many points and connected them all.”

“This was great! I really enjoyed my first visit to Glynwood and look forward to future events.”

Click the links below to listen to the presentations and discussion.

Judith LaBelle
General Introduction (2 mins, 2 MB)

Cynthia Rozenzweig
Introduction by Judith LaBelle (1 min, 1 MB)
complete talk (43 mins, 40 MB)
highlights (14 mins, 13 MB)

Joel Russell
Introduction by Judith LaBelle (1 min, 1 MB)
complete talk (43 mins, 40 MB)
highlights (14 mins, 13 MB)

Farmer Panel
Introduction by Judith LaBelle (3 mins, 3 MB)
Farmer Panel Comments (10 mins, 9 MB)
Introduction Highlights by Judith LaBelle (1 min, 1 MB)
Farmer Panel Comments Highlights (2 mins, 2 MB)
Farmer Panel Q&A (34 mins, 31 MB)
Farmer Panel Q&A Highlights (3 mins, 3 MB)

Cynthia Rosenzweig, Ph.D., is a research scientist and leader of the Climate Impacts Group at the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Institute for Space Studies, which investigates the interactions of climate with systems and sectors important to ecological and human well-being. Dr. Rosenzweig currently leads the Metropolitan East Coast Region for the U.S. National Assessment of Climate Variability and Change. Dr. Rosenzweig studied agronomy as an undergraduate, an interest she continues in her current work.

Joel Russell has over 28 years of experience as a planning consultant and land use attorney. He is nationally known for his work in smart growth, land conservation, and New Urbanism. Mr. Russell has been at the forefront in drafting land use ordinances that emphasize quality design, the creation of a sense of place, traditional neighborhood development, and the preservation of farmland, open space, and environmental resources. He has published numerous articles and is the principal co-author of Codifying New Urbanism, published by the American Planning Association. He is currently serving as a Glynwood Fellow, developing an advanced professional training program on land use regulation and climate change.