Responsibility to the Land: Perspectives of Farmers on Climate Change and Land Transition

Agriculture is a defining aspect of Minnesota and Wisconsin’s culture and identity, characterized by family farms, rolling hills blanketed with crops, and cows. Interspersed are small scale diversified farms and a growing number of emerging and young farmers. Another cultural mainstay is talking about weather, a ubiquitous conversation of Midwesterners. As weather events such as erratic rainfall, drought, and pest pressure become both more common and volatile, and long-term weather patterns shift from “normal”, it is important to ask farmers what they think about it. Adapting to changes and planning for resilience are what farmers have always done, yet increasing pressures including climate change and uncertain generational transition make adaptation difficult. This thesis examines Minnesota and Wisconsin farmers’ perspectives on climate change and experiences with the land, as well as their speculation about the future of agriculture in the region. Through eleven in-depth interviews with farmers, relationships between me and the farmers were created or strengthened. While most farmers named and acknowledged climate change, not everyone was concerned about it. All agreed that environmental conservation through farming practices was essential to their economic success and their ethical responsibility to the land. They hoped their land and farming practices could be passed on to the next generation rather than large farms consolidating farm land. Overall, this thesis emphasizes the need for listening to and understanding the diverse perspectives of Midwestern farmers in order to support and create opportunities for transitions for climate resilience.