California is home to the largest and most diverse agricultural industry in the United States, with over 76,000 farms and ranches leading the production of the nation’s vegetables, fruits, nuts, and dairy products. However, this industry is heavily reliant on water availability and favorable weather conditions. Consequently, the state faces significant risks if climate variability and the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are not effectively addressed.
The FRISBE project (Reinforcing Climate Risk Management from Farmers’ Behavior and User-Driven Indicators) aims to gather farmers’ knowledge on climate variability and its effects on crops and livestock. Farmers are uniquely positioned to provide first-hand observations of climate extremes and their impacts, thereby contributing to understand the local reality more accurately and efficiently. Coordinated by Professor Alvar Escriva-Bou (University of California, Los Angeles) and Professor Sandra Ricart (Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy), the project developed an online survey to capture farmers’ experiences and expertise on perceived impacts, implemented adaptation measures, and identified barriers. This survey addresses the increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of heat extremes, which lead to higher growing season temperatures, more volatile precipitation patterns, reduced winter chill hours, diminished snowpack, and accelerated soil erosion.
This information will be utilized to enhance our understanding of farmers’ perspectives and needs, including the potential heterogeneity among their experiences and practices. It will also help estimate the socio-economic consequences of the perceived impacts and proposed actions, thereby contributing to the transition toward more resilient, robust, and climate-proof decisions at the local scale to reduce the vulnerability of farming systems.
As farmer, you are invited to participate in the FRISBE project through this web-based online survey. The survey is structured in six blocks with a majority of questions to be answered with yes/no options, and the response time is no more than 10-12 minutes. Click HERE to take the survey.
PARTICIPATION
Your participation is voluntary. You may refuse to participate or cancel your participation at any time, and you may refuse to answer any question for any reason.
BENEFIT
You will not receive any financial compensation for participating in this study. However, responses are essential to gaining a deeper understanding of farmers’ needs and enhancing their preparedness to face climate risks. Trusting in farmers’ knowledge, this survey aims to redefine precise interventions that align with their interests and the local climate reality.
RISKS
There are no risks derived from participation in this study.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The platform hosting the online survey does not collect information that allows identifying sensitive personal data, so your responses will remain completely anonymous and confidential. The individualized responses will be stored in an electronic format protected with a double security factor and only accessible to restricted personnel directly linked to the investigation.
DATA USE
Your data, including de-identified data may be kept for use in future research.
CONTACT
If you have any questions about the study or its procedures, please contact the lead researchers, Prof. Alvar-Escriva-Bou (aescriva@ucdavis.edu) or Prof. Sandra Ricart (sandra.ricart@polimi.it). Additionally, you may contact the UCLA Office of the Human Research Protection Program (ohrpp@research.ucla.edu).
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