AgroClimate is an innovative web resource for decision support and learning covering the southeastern United States. The website provides interactive tools and climate information to improve crop management decisions and reduce production risks associated with climate variability, climate change, and extreme weather events. Users can monitor variables of interest such as growing degree days, chill hours, freeze risk, disease risks for selected crops, and current and projected drought conditions. Users can also learn about the impacts of climate cycles affecting the southeastern United States, such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

AgroClimate uses crop simulation models along with historic, current, and forecasted climate data to enable decision makers to compare changes in probable outcomes under different climate conditions.

The carbon footprint calculator on AgroClimate can provide system-specific estimates of how energy is being used. AgroClimate also includes educational resources—including videos and fact sheets—about management practices and technologies that can help improve efficiency of production and decrease the vulnerability of agricultural systems to climate variability and change.

AgroClimate is regularly used during training events for County Extension faculty and during workshops with agricultural producers. Its modular platform allows for an easy replication in other geographies and for content expansion.

Banner image credit: Marcia O'Connor. CC BY-NC 2.0, via Flickr.