U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture Cohort Publishes Policy Recommendations on Climate Change and Arable Farming

By Neal Benjamin, PhD student studying ecology, evolution, and conservation biology at the University of Illinois and a graduate assistant working with the Aspen Institute Germany

The U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture has completed the exchange of its first cohort, which focused on climate change and its impact on arable/row crop agriculture. The project which is coordinated by the Aspen Institute Germany in partnership with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign brought together 16 German and American farmers and other key stakeholders from Eastern Germany and the U.S. Midwest for a yearlong exchange which included virtual and in-person meetings. These regions in both countries are characterized by extensive row crop agriculture and face similar challenges related to climate change. 

To cap off the year, the group has developed extensive policy recommendations related to climate change and arable farming for both their respective countries as well as further transatlantic cooperation. The project was supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, funded by the European Recovery Program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

These recommendations are a guide for improving climate resilience, mitigating climate change, and balancing sustainability and productivity in agriculture and rural regions generally. Their recommendations are divided into three main sections, each focusing on a different aspect of agriculture and climate change. The first section discusses the challenges that farmers face due to climate change and provides recommendations for improving climate resilience at the national and transatlantic levels. The second section focuses on how agriculture can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect natural resources. The third section discusses the importance of balancing the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture and rural regions. 

These recommendations are a consensus of the group and reflect the diverse personal experiences, expertise, ideas, and opinions of each participant. This guide will serve as a valuable resource for anyone interested in improving climate resilience, mitigating climate change, and balancing sustainability in agriculture and rural regions. Moreover, it provides practical recommendations that can be implemented at the national and transatlantic levels to help farmers adapt to the challenges of climate change and protect natural resources.

The completion of the first cohort of the U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture and the policy recommendations developed by the group are significant steps towards promoting sustainable agriculture and addressing the current and coming challenges of ongoing climate change. The project's success is a testament to the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges and shaping the future of agriculture, and it sets a positive precedent for future transatlantic collaborations in the field. We invite anyone interested in these important conversations to click here to view the policy recommendations in their entirety (approx. 20 minute read) and to share within your networks.

Posted in: Agriculture,Aspen Institute Germany,Climate change,Germany,Neal Benjamin,U.S.-German Forum Future Agriculture,United States