Farm-level perception of and adaptation to climate risk in Perth County, Ontario

This thesis explores farmers' understanding and responses to climate conditions, variability and change. A vulnerability approach guides both the conceptual framework and methodological approach to focus on the system of concern, farms in Perth County, Ontario. Twenty-five interviews and four focus groups with farmers were used to explore the impact of climate risks on farms, and farmers' responses to climate risks and growing season conditions.; The insights and information collected from farmers describe a complex decision-making environment, with many forces both external and internal to the farm operation influencing management decisions. Within this environment, weather is consistently referred to as a significant force influencing both farm operations and management decisions. As weather is a constant influence on farms, farmers have developed a wide-range of anticipatory and reactive management strategies to respond. However, farmers are generally unaware and/or unconcerned about future risks and opportunities due to climate change.