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Midwest farmers who plan ahead could turn climate change into an agricultural advantage

Field of corn
Flickr/Vampire Bear
A new study looks at looked at how much more water is going to be needed to grow a crop in Michigan

 

Globally, climate change is going to cause serious upheaval. But the kinds of changes will vary from place to place. That means there are likely to be both winners and losers in a changing climate.  

As science refines its predictions about the impact of climate change, it's getting easier to see who will end up in each column. 

Bruno Basso is a Michigan State University Foundation Professor in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department. He spoke with Stateside about his new study on climate change and crop growth in the Midwest.

The majority of farmers Basso has worked with do not believe in human-caused climate change, but they do see the effects of climate variability first hand. 

“They are very well aware that climate is indeed changing on their farm,” Basso said. “There are [sic] more intense rainfall. That has been shown with a lot of measurements, that the rainfall events come with a much greater intensity,” he said. 

Listen above to hear more about the ways farmers can adapt to the changing climate. 

This post was written by Stateside production assistant Sophie Sherry. 

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Stateside is produced daily by a dedicated group of producers and production assistants. Listen daily, on-air, at 3 and 8 p.m., or subscribe to the daily podcast wherever you like to listen.
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