FARMING THROUGH WILDFIRE SEASON: FOSTERING SOCIOECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE THROUGH RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1028202
• Grant No.: 2022-67011-36637
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $180,000.00
• Proposal No.: 2021-09532
• Project Start Date: Dec 1, 2021
• Project End Date: Nov 30, 2024
• Grant Year: 2022
• Program Code: [A7101]- AFRI Predoctoral Fellowships

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
410 MRAK HALL
DAVIS,CA 95616-8671

Performing Department
Human Ecology

Non Technical Summary
This research-extension project will support the productive and social viability of rural agricultural communities facing catastrophic wildfires in California. In the Western region, the risk of high-intensity and unpredictable wildfires threatens agricultural communities at alarming and increasing scales. Based on 6 years of climate risk education and an advisory committee of 10 stakeholders, this project provides timely research and training to family farmers, ranchers and professionals on wildfire disaster preparedness, response and recovery.The project will conduct a statewide survey and semi-interviews to identify: 1.) The types of impacts farmers experience during and after wildfires 2.) The strategies, resources, social contexts of farmers able to cope. Then, the 'Farming Through the Wildfire Season' self-assessment workbook will be developed to guide practitioners in strategies for risk reduction, wildfire preparedness, disaster response and recovery. Finally, 5 training sessions will be held with 90 farmers and 30 agricultural professionals in regions at high-risk to wildfires.This proposal addresses the following AFRI Farm Bill priority areas: Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Agricultural Systems and Technology; and Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities. The proposal meets the Predoctoral program area priority of cultivating future leaders who can solve the emerging challenge of agricultural climate change adaptation and who work in sustainable agriculture and science policy. It also meets the EWD objective of advancing science in agriculture and delivering science-based knowledge to end users.

Animal Health Component

10%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

20%

Applied

10%

Developmental

70%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
807	6099	2060	30%
132	6050	2060	10%
132	6199	2060	10%
807	6030	2060	30%
132	6030	2060	20%

Knowledge Area
807 - Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery; 132 - Weather and Climate;

Subject Of Investigation
6199 - Economy, general/other; 6099 - People and communities, general/other; 6030 - The farm as an enterprise; 6050 - Communities, areas, and regions;

Field Of Science
2060 - Geography;

Keywords

agroecology

california

disaster management

socioecological

sustainable

wildfires

Goals / Objectives
The first goal of this project is to address the research and extension gaps at the nexus of wildfires and agriculture. This will be done through a multi-sited comparative analysis of the impacts and response strategies of producers confronting wildfires and to extend the findings to practitioners through a training program. We expect to uncover and elucidate precautions that farmers can take to reduce their wildfire risk. We also expect to find critical gaps that agricultural professionals, disaster response personnel, institutions, and government can fill. The research is driven by two questions (1) What types of agronomic, economic and social impacts are farmers experiencing during and after wildfires? (2) What are the characteristics of farmers who have been most and least impacted by wildfires? What are their strategies, resources, social contexts, and networks? Our second goal is to equip farmers and farming communities with practical tools to increase their resilience to wildfire. We'll develop the "Farming Through Wildfire Season" self-assessment workbook and then we extend our findings in training sessions in high fire-risk regions.

Project Methods
a. Overview: A mixed-methods approach utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods can best identify factors affecting wildfire risk, vulnerability and response capacity. The first phase of this project will entail a state-wide survey. The survey instrument design will be informed by preliminary research already conducted, literature, and stakeholder input. The second phase will include site visits and semi-structured interviews with 30 farmers. In the third phase, after all data has been analyzed, a workbook for farmer self-assessment of wildfire risk and accompanying training program will be developed. All materials will be reviewed by an advisory committee of multisector stakeholders (see Management Plan). All phases of the proposed study will be conducted in accordance with a research protocol approved by the institutional review board.b. Research-Extension sites: To understand if regional geography plays a role in shaping risk and adaptation, we will interview and survey growers who reside in high-severity zones as indicated by the CalFire risk maps: Northern Coast, Central Coast, Southern Coast, North Central, and the Sierra Foothills. In Phase 3, trainings will be conducted in these regions.c. Farmer Selection and Sampling Frame: Our survey will sample farmers who have experienced direct losses due to a high-severity wildfire, either through damage to cultivated plants, animals and infrastructure, or due to farm product or labor losses from smoke, ash, evacuation, market closures, power outages, or "fire weather".d. Activities: Phase 1: Survey: The survey questionnaire will be developed based on insights gained during the preliminary research and with input from key stakeholder collaborators. To achieve a representative sample, we will obtain a sample size of 384 survey responses. Our survey will be stratified by region and subpopulations (to be determined). To test the survey and weed out common pitfalls I will first seek feedback from a small focus group of farmers convened from each region. The survey instrument will then be piloted with a larger group of 20-30 farmers. Based on their input, the survey will be revised for clarity, length, consistency and content at each step. Survey responses will be analyzed spatially and statistically using Generalized Linear Mixed Models and GIS. I will assess whether and to what extent economic, geographic, ecological and social factors affect the resilience of farmers to wildfire.Phase 2 Interviews: Responses to the survey will be used to inform decisions about questions, language, and selection criteria for the interview phase. During in-depth interviews and site visits, I will have a set of questions which are refined by the focus group of farmers. 30 Interviews will be transcribed, anonymized, coded, and analyzed. Field visits will be recorded with attention paid to the agroecological aspects of the farm. Photographs and video footage from the interviews will be used to feature select farmer stories in a blog and/or video format.Phase 3: Extension: The research will generate regional data on wildfire impacts and response strategies. I will analyze the data for patterns and compile a summary report for stakeholders. I will then develop a self-assessment workbook for farmers to assess their adaptive capacity to wildfires. The workbook will consist of learning activities and farmer stories, completion will result in a Wildfire Resilience Plan tailored to farmers' businesses. The research findings, relevant literature, my previous experience developing wildfire resilience curricula, and input from project collaborators, advisors and stakeholders will inform the content. Once developed, a blind review of the workbook will be conducted by a select group of 10 producers and professionals from a range of backgrounds. Feedback will be integrated into the final version which will then be professionally edited and printed. A 2-3 hour training will be designed based on the workbook content and delivered in at least five training sessions organized by collaborators, directly reaching 90 family farmers (15 spanish speaking) and 30 agricultural professionals. All materials will be disseminated widely and made freely available online via our collaborator's networks and clearinghouses.EVALUATIONMilestones for each year include sharing preliminary research results (Sep 2022, Sep 2023) with collaborators/stakeholders and getting input on key findings. I will meet quarterly with an advisory committee of stakeholders to present results and get feedback. Annually, I will present key findings in a report for wide distribution. The findings from the research phase will then be developed into the workbook and training workshop to help stakeholders identify regional wildfire adaptation strategies and to support producers' preparedness and response capacity. Five training sessions will be held in the final phase of this project with collaborator support.Dissemination: In addition to extension activities, key findings will also be shared at relevant conferences such as The Human Dimension of Wildland Conference (2021); the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop (2022); and The California Climate and Agriculture Conference (2022) to reach professionals. The CA Small Farmers Conference (2022, 2024) and The Ecological Farmers Conference (2023) to reach farmers. The American Association of Geographers Conference (2022, 2024); The CA Fire Science Seminar Series at UC Berkeley and the Scientific Society of Agroecology Conference (2023) to reach scientists. Two to three peer reviewed publications will be produced and published in journals including journals that are accessible to growers and practitioners, such as California Agriculture.The true measure of success of this program will lie in documenting the increase in knowledge and change in behavior. Our evaluation indicators will include the number of unique website visitors of online resources. We will email those who download the workbook with a retrospective evaluation to assess effectiveness, knowledge and behavior changes three months after download. After the training, a retrospective evaluation will measure pre-and-post participation learning, intent to implement, and gather feedback. Participants will receive a 3-month follow-up to assess the learning and knowledge exchange.

Progress 12/01/21 to 11/30/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Farmer, Ranchers and Technical Services providers serving farmers and ranchers in wildfire regions. Mostly in California, but across the US West Changes/Problems:During the course of the project, several challenges impacted the research schedule, requiring adjustments. While most objectives were successfully completed, planned field visits and interviews were not conducted due to unforeseen challenges. 1) PI Maternity Leave The Principal Investigator was on maternity leave from May to November 2022, which resulted in a delay in survey dissemination and analysis. Originally planned for Q3 and Q4, survey analysis was completed by Q8, ensuring that key research deliverables remained on track. Despite this delay, the extension and outreach components continued as planned, minimizing disruptions to project implementation. 2) Survey Fraud and Data Cleaning Challenges The survey experienced fraudulent responses, with over 2,000 unusable entries, significantly impacting data integrity. Extensive data cleaning took over six months, temporarily delaying analysis. Additional funds were allocated for fraud detection and data verification support, ensuring reliable and high-quality results. A paper was written on methods for identifying fraud in online surveys, requiring an additional six months to complete. It was well received by the scientific community and contributed valuable insights into improving survey data integrity. 3) Field Visits and Interviews Not Completed Due to a combination of maternity leave, survey fraud delays, and COVID-related restrictions, field visits and interviews could not be conducted as planned. While efforts were made to supplement data collection through virtual interviews and stakeholder consultations, logistical and time constraints prevented full implementation of the original fieldwork plan. Although interviews were not conducted, the Principal Investigator's seven years of field experience working with farmers in wildfire-prone areas strongly informed both the survey design and analysis. This prior experience ensured that the survey accurately reflected the needs and challenges of farmers facing wildfire risks. Additionally, the project benefited from highly experienced advisors with extensive firsthand knowledge of wildfire impacts on agriculture. Their insights and the numerous farmer stories they contributed provided critical qualitative context that strengthened the interpretation of survey findings. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project provided significant opportunities for training and professional development. It has positioned me as an expert in disaster resilience in agriculture, strengthened my ability to lead interdisciplinary teams, and enhanced my capacity to conduct impactful research. Mentorship and Skill Building: Weekly mentor meetings improved my project management skills, stakeholder engagement strategies, and research design techniques. One-on-one mentorship with over seven different mentors strengthened my expertise in survey instrument development and data analysis. Technical Skills: I gained proficiency in statistical regression, spatial analysis, and data visualization. Statistics was previously intimidating for me, but through mentorship from four advanced statistical tutors, I developed confidence and can now engage with statisticians comfortably. Some of my mentors also introduced me to advanced techniques, including machine learning. Data Visualization: I completed formal training in data visualization (through the Evergreen Data Visualization Academy) and learned to use Tableau to create interactive, dynamic data presentations. As a result, my visualizations were widely praised by mentors and peer reviewers for improving research communication. Policy Engagement: I co-established and participated in monthly meetings with the "Wildfire and Ag" committee, which helped me align research with current needs. I also attended a research-to-policy training through the Switzer Network, enhancing my ability to bridge scientific research and policy. Additionally, I worked with two experienced mentors to develop policy briefs. Education Delivery: I strengthened my teaching skills through multiple wildfire resilience training sessions, refining content delivery and interactive learning approaches. Participant evaluations highlighted improvements in engagement and effectiveness, allowing me to increase my skills in content delivery. Scientific Writing: I received extensive training in writing and the peer review process from my major advisor. What was once an intimidating process has been demystified, and I now have significant confidence as a scientific writer. Participatory Action Research (PAR): I learned how to design, fund, and implement a participatory research project. Collaboration and Team Building: I developed leadership skills in managing and coordinating interdisciplinary teams across nonprofits, for-profits, and academic institutions, driving results in agricultural resilience and wildfire adaptation. Public Relations: The unique focus of my dissertation led to media outreach, including press and television coverage. I thus learned how to engage with the media and communicate research effectively. Recognition and Awards The project received a national award from the National Extension Risk Management Education network, increasing my confidence as a scholar and educator in my field How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The dissemination of our research results has been a multifaceted and inclusive process, ensuring broad outreach and engagement across agricultural communities, technical service providers, and the general public. Through live meetings, digital resources, policy engagement, and scientific publications, we have successfully expanded awareness and adoption of wildfire resilience strategies in agriculture. Outreach Activities and Community Engagement 1) Workshops, Live Meetings, and Direct Engagement Conducted 14 live workshops and office hours, reaching 199 producers and 166 agricultural professionals. Hosted a data party, facilitating collaborative analysis and discussion of research findings. Provided personalized technical assistance to producers and service providers to ensure practical application of research insights. 95% of participants reported an increase in knowledge from these interactive sessions. 2) Development and Distribution of the "Farming Through Wildfire Season" Workbook Designed a comprehensive, applied workbook guiding producers through nine key activities addressing financial, legal, production, and human risks. Distributed in both digital and print formats, with 284 virtual downloads and 20 printed copies reaching farmers in wildfire-prone regions. 300+ users accessed and engaged with the workbook as a resource for resilience planning. Technical service providers and agricultural professionals integrated the workbook into their outreach and advisory efforts, ensuring wider adoption. 3) Online and Digital Outreach 10,279 views of online materials, including: Webpages Disaster clearinghouse resources Recorded webinars Producer stories (case studies) Launched an online course, with 82 producers participating, expanding the reach beyond live events. Developed a dynamic Tableau dashboard, enabling stakeholders to explore and analyze aggregated wildfire impact data. 4) Engagement with Underserved and Underrepresented Communities Conducted targeted outreach to socially disadvantaged and limited-resource farmers, ensuring accessibility to resilience tools. Provided bilingual resources and partnered with community organizations to serve small-scale producers. Focused discussions on equity in disaster response, leading to increased policy awareness and engagement. Many farmers expressed gratitude for the personalized support, reporting feelings of care and encouragement to take action. 5) Policy Engagement and Scientific Dissemination Published three scientific papers, including one in a practitioner-oriented journal widely read by extension agents and producers. Released two policy briefs informing decision-makers about wildfire risks in agriculture. Presented research at three major conferences and three poster sessions, engaging scientists, policymakers, agricultural professionals and producers (one was a producer conference) Impact of Dissemination Efforts Strengthened public understanding of wildfire risks and adaptation strategies in agriculture. Expanded awareness among policymakers, leading to discussions on improved disaster response for agricultural communities. Increased technical service providers' capacity to support wildfire resilience in farming communities. Fostered behavioral changes, with farmers and agricultural professionals adopting wildfire mitigation strategies. Inspired new collaborations, fostering interdisciplinary research and education efforts focused on climate adaptation in agriculture. Future efforts will continue leveraging digital platforms, policy engagement, and hands-on training to expand wildfire resilience education and support agricultural communities adapting to increasing wildfire threats. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Through this research and extension project, we advanced understanding of wildfire impacts on agricultural producers and provided resources to enhance resilience. Our work identified vulnerabilities, documented adaptation strategies, and contributed to policy and practice. This project delivered tools to reduce wildfire risk, improve preparedness, and support post-fire recovery for farmers and ranchers. Impact Statement Our research and outreach efforts have directly improved wildfire preparedness among farmers and agricultural professionals, strengthening the agricultural sector's ability to adapt to climate-driven disasters. Farmers have increased knowledge of wildfire risk and mitigation strategies, leading to measurable changes in on-farm resilience practices. Additionally, agricultural service providers have incorporated wildfire resilience into their extension efforts, broadening the impact beyond direct participants. Policymakers have gained a better understanding of the unique challenges faced by agricultural producers, informing future disaster assistance programs. Accomplishments by Goal Goal 1: Addressing Research and Extension Gaps at the Wildfire-Agriculture Nexus Objective 1.1: Conduct a comparative analysis of wildfire impacts and response strategies Major Activities Completed: Conducted a statewide survey of 505 producers in high-risk wildfire regions. Established an advisory committee of farmers, agricultural professionals, and wildfire experts to guide research and outreach efforts. Data Collected: Survey data from 505 farmers and ranchers on economic losses and resilience strategies. Policy and program data on disaster relief access and insurance coverage. Field observations and case studies highlighting adaptation practices and gaps. Summary Statistics and Discussion of Results: Economic Losses: 59% of producers experienced significant losses; 16% reported devastation in at least one category. Crop Losses: 46% reported ash damage; 35% lost workdays; 34% faced harvesting challenges. Livestock Losses: 62% reported smoke exposure; 50% lost pasture/feed; 42% saw productivity declines. Insurance & Disaster Relief: 60% lacked insurance; 73% did not receive federal aid. Adaptation & Recovery: 77% of farmers near wildfires provided direct community support; 53% adopted wildfire mitigation strategies. Policy & Programmatic Gaps: 72% of respondents had some fire management experience, yet many were excluded from resilience planning. Key Outcomes: Farmers and agricultural professionals gained critical knowledge on wildfire vulnerability and mitigation strategies. The project developed a wildfire vulnerability typology shared with stakeholders. Improved agricultural professionals' ability to address fire-related agronomic risks. Policymakers gained insights into the needs of wildfire-affected farmers, influencing disaster assistance efforts. Goal 2: Equipping Farmers and Agricultural Communities with Resilience Tools Objective 2.1: Develop and disseminate the "Farming Through Wildfire Season" workbook Major Activities Completed: Created a structured self-assessment workbook with case studies, risk checklists, and mitigation strategies. Conducted stakeholder review sessions with 10 farmers and agricultural professionals to refine content. Released digital and print versions to ensure accessibility. Data Collected: Feedback from key stakeholders improving clarity and usability. Compilation of best practices for alignment with real-world wildfire mitigation needs. Summary Statistics and Discussion of Results: 300+ users accessed the workbook. 65% of farmers expressed intent to implement at least one risk-reduction practice. Agricultural professionals integrated the workbook into extension training efforts. Key Outcomes: Farmers increased their knowledge of wildfire preparedness and mitigation practices. The workbook has become a widely used resource among agricultural professionals and extension educators. Objective 2.2: Conduct training sessions for resilience planning support Major Activities Completed: Hosted 14 live training sessions reaching 199 producers and 166 agricultural professionals. Launched a digital version of the training for broader accessibility. Presented findings at three agricultural and wildfire conferences, engaging scientists, policymakers, and practitioners. Data Collected: Pre- and post-training surveys measuring knowledge gains and mitigation intentions. Attendance metrics and qualitative feedback from participants. Summary Statistics and Discussion of Results: Training led to a 95% increase in wildfire risk knowledge; 40% showed significant improvement. 75% of farmers planned to implement at least one wildfire mitigation practice. Agricultural professionals reported increased confidence in supporting farmers' preparedness and recovery efforts. Key Outcomes: Strengthened on-farm wildfire preparedness through direct training and knowledge transfer. Expanded engagement of agricultural professionals in wildfire resilience education and policy advocacy. Overall Impact and Future Directions Knowledge Impact: Increased awareness of wildfire risks and adaptation strategies among farmers and agricultural professionals. Direct engagement with 406 producers (199 live training, 125 workbook, 82 online course) and 388 agricultural service providers. Action Impact: Measurable behavioral changes, with widespread adoption of risk-reduction practices. Integration of wildfire resilience strategies into agricultural extension services. Condition Impact: Improved policy awareness of wildfire risks in agriculture, contributing to better disaster response frameworks. Future Steps: Continued dissemination of findings and expansion of training materials. Further engagement with policymakers to translate research into actionable policy improvements. Ongoing support for agricultural communities adapting to wildfire challenges. This project has significantly advanced knowledge, preparedness, and policy discussions on wildfires in agriculture, equipping producers and professionals with critical tools for resilience.

Publications

• Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2024 Citation: Pinzon, N., Schohr, T., Galt, R., Roche, L. M., Shobe, B., & Schatt-Kenig, A. (2024). Farming & Ranching Through Wildfire Season- A Research Report on the Impacts and Responses of Californias Producers. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.23584.60161
• Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: Pinz�n, N., Koundinya, V., Dowling, W., & Galt, R. (2025). From Data to Action: An Adaptable Crosstabs Template for Participatory Survey Data Analysis. Journal of Extension.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Pinzon, N., Schohr, T., Schatt, A., & Galt, R. (2024). Policy Brief- Farmers: How the 2024 Farm Bill Can Support Wildfire Preparedness and Recovery. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12255.68007
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Pinzon, N., Roche, L., & Schohr, T. (2024). Policy Brief- Ranchers: How the 2024 Farm Bill Can Support Wildfire Preparedness and Recovery. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.14934.46401
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: asi.ucdavis.edu/fires
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Pinz�n, N. (2024). Data Dashboard: Farming & Ranching Through Wildfire Season [Dataset]. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.24004.03201
• Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2025 Citation: Pinz�n, N., Koundinya, V., Dowling, W., & Galt, R. (2025). Facilitating Farmer-To-Farmer eLearning: An Evaluation of Climate and Wildfires Online Courses in California. Journal of Extension.
• Type: Other Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2025 Citation: Pinzon, Galt - Farmers and Ranchers Weave the Social Fabric Shaping Wildfire Resilience - Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Pinz�n, N. (2024). Farming Through Wildfire Season: Fostering Socioecological Resilience Through Mixed Methods Action-Research and Extension [Dissertation]. University of California, Davis.
• Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Pinz�n, N., Galt, R. E., Roche, L. M., Schohr, T., Shobe, B., Koundinya, V., Brimm, K., & Powell, J. (2025). Farming and ranching through wildfire: Producers critical role in fire risk management and emergency response. California Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3733/001c.128403
• Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2025 Citation: Pinz�n, N., (2025). Farm Loss Threatens Global Wildfire Resilience: The Paradox of Farming in Fire Ecology. Manuscript in Preparation

Progress 12/01/22 to 11/30/23

Outputs
Target Audience:We focused our efforts on supporting small, diversified, family, and minority farmers and ranchers in California, specifically targeting women, BIPOC individuals, and under-resourced farmers statewide, including those who are just beginning their farming journey. Our outreach also extends to farmers situated in high wildfire risk regions. This strategic focus is driven by the recognition that these farming populations face heightened vulnerability to wildfires. In addition to reaching out directly to farmers, we also engage Technical Service Providers and Agricultural Professionals, including researchers, advocates, educators, and non-profit organizations, who play crucial roles in supporting these communities. By collaborating with these key stakeholders, we aim to amplify the impact of our initiatives, extending our reach more broadly within the wildfire-prone regions and ensuring that the necessary support systems are in place for sustainable agricultural practices. Changes/Problems:Our survey was severely impacted by fraud attacks, with over 2,000 unusable responses. This took 6 months to clean and set us back in data analysis What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project has facilitated valuable opportunities for training and professional development among team members involved in various capacities. Weekly mentor meetings have proven instrumental in providing me with essential guidance on project management related to stakeholder research projects and refining research design strategies. Through one-on-one interactions with mentors, I have acquired practical skills in survey instrument development and analysis, enhancing my proficiency in these critical areas. Participation in monthly policy mentor meetings has broadened my perspective, guiding me on strategies to effectively translate research insights into actionable policy recommendations. Additionally, recognizing the significance of clear communication, I enrolled in an online training program focused on data visualization, a skill crucial for effectively conveying the results of our findings. A noteworthy aspect of my professional development journey was the hosting of a data party with stakeholders. This experience not only allowed for collaborative data analysis but also provided valuable mentorship on conducting participatory data analysis in a meaningful and inclusive manner. These diverse training and professional development opportunities have collectively contributed to my growth and effectiveness in executing the project's objectives. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The dissemination of our research results to communities of interest has been a multifaceted and inclusive process, ensuring broad outreach and engagement. Through live meetings, including virtual workshops and office hours, we successfully reached 406 producers and 388 agricultural professionals, fostering direct interaction and knowledge sharing. To make our findings accessible to producers, we designed a comprehensive workbook, tailored for usability in the field. This resource guides producers through nine applied activities, addressing financial, legal, production, and human risks associated with wildfires. A total of 406 producers engaged with our content: 199 through live workshops/meetings, 125 through the workbook, and 82 through our online course. Our dual approach of providing the workbook in both digital and printed formats resulted in widespread accessibility, with 284 virtual downloads and 20 printed copies distributed. Extending our reach to Technical Service Providers (TSPs) and Agricultural Professionals, we introduced them to our newly designed "Farming through Wildfire Season Workbook." Recognizing the potential challenges faced by producers in implementing the workbook, we conducted a series of workshops to guide farmers, TSPs and professionals on its effective use. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing gratitude for the personalized support, reporting feelings of care, and indicating a commitment to integrating the workbook into their operations. Notably, 95% of participants acknowledged an increase in knowledge from these events. To further promote collaborative engagement and knowledge exchange, we organized a data party, fostering a collective analysis of data and drawing meaningful conclusions as a group. This participatory approach ensures that the dissemination process not only imparts information but also encourages active involvement and shared learning within the community. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the final year of this project, I plan to: 1. Continue to analyze the results of this survey, 2. Write 2-3 papers for publication 3. Write 1-2 policy briefs 4. Present our findings in the media as well as at conferences and 5. Finish development of the workbook

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The survey instrument was completed and disseminated The survey results analysis began in a participatory way with key stakeholders We completed the first draft of the workbook and held trainings We held monthly meetings with the advisory committee Had weekly and biweekly meetings with mentors

Publications

• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: https://farmercampus.com/fires/#workbook

Progress 12/01/21 to 11/30/22

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems:PI went on maternity leave between May - Nov 2022. This caused a delay in the survey dissemination and analysis, which is beginning now in Q5-Q6 as opposed to Q3 and Q4 as originally planned. Survey analysis will be complete by Q8. However, the extension components are on track and on time. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The weekly mentors meetings have supported me in receiving guidance on project management of stakeholder research projects and research design; One on one work with mentors has trained me in survey instrument development I attended two conferences where I was able to present the progress of my research and I also ran a 2-hour workshop with the grizzly corp to train young college graduates on how to support their local agricultural community in wildfire resilience. This increased my public speaking skills How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In year two of this project, I plan to: 1. Distribute the survey (Q5-Q7) and analyze the results (Q8); 2. Continue to conduct interviews (Q6-Q8); 3. write at least one paper for publication. 4. Attend two conferences (Q6) and continue workbook development (Q8). The advisory will continue to meet on a monthly basis and I will continue to meet with my advisors weekly.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. The survey instrument was developed with input from mentors, the advisory committee including stakeholders. 2. We received IRB approval 3. We began working on developing the workbook 4. We held monthly meetings with the advisory committee and started an online listserve for stakeholders to share resources on wildfires in agriculture 5. Had weekly and biweekly meetings with mentor Ryan Galt and weekly meetings with mentor Tapan Pathak

Publications