Social risk perceptions of climate change: A case study of farmers and agricultural advisors in northern California

Crop and livestock farmers must respond to climate change, including a range of physical cultural impacts risks. In rural northern California, face extreme drought catastrophic wildfires with increasing frequency. I draw on an extended case study agricultural advisors in Siskiyou County understand how agriculturalists perceive risks when navigating change discourses. While are changing their management practices response the effects many substantial social within communities if they align themselves publicly beliefs or actions. Perceived consequences included loss access benefits membership formal informal farming groups. Efforts focused educating convincing science may, some contexts, increase rather than decrease perceived action. The framing policies, programs, – especially by public like Cooperative Extension Advisors local USDA staff (e.g., Farm Service Agency) is important not only for farmer participation, but also reducing associated change. Interventions that focus livelihood validate existing land stewardship-oriented values have more potential pace scale mitigation adaptation agriculture.