Examining the Effects of Climate Change on Equity for Socially Disadvantaged Small Farmers in Four Midwestern States

Abstract Submission: While the effects of climate change are indiscriminate of populations, it is expected that specific groups such as Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, Foresters, and Communities of Color (SDFFCC) will be less likely to be able to mitigate the negative effects of climate change or receive resources and technical support. It therefore necessitates focusing the impacts of climate change on these marginalized communities. This study identifies the issues with water and energy infrastructure that have been impacted by the climate change in small farmers in the Midwest and assess them in the lens of socio-economic inequity. The effects of climate change manifest in various ways across agricultural and forested landscapes; however, this analysis specifically examines the implications for water and energy infrastructure pertinent to small farms. Water-related factors encompass irrigation systems, water supply, wastewater management, and overall water quality. Energy considerations include both conventional and alternative energy sources. To evaluate equity among small farmers, we consider additional infrastructure costs associated with climate change adaptation, access to technical and financial resources, and relevant agricultural and energy policies. The study focuses on four Midwestern states—Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia—each of which experiences climate change impacts differently, necessitating distinct evaluative parameters based on their unique geographies and agricultural frameworks. This two-phase research first assesses the Climate Change Impact Equity (CCIE) between socially advantaged and disadvantaged farmers within each state, followed by a comparative analysis of CCIE among the SDFFCCs across these states. The analysis utilizes the 2022 Census of Agriculture data alongside publicly available climate data, with preliminary findings presented herein.

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