Building Climate Resilience for Farmers and Ranchers

Prepare Your Farm or Ranch for a Changing Climate

Climate change is already reshaping agriculture across the U.S. — from unpredictable rainfall and droughts to shifting growing seasons and more frequent extreme weather.

This self-paced, online course from Oregon State University gives farmers and ranchers the tools, knowledge, and action steps they need to strengthen their operation’s ability to adapt, recover, and thrive in a changing climate.

You’ll move from uncertainty to action with a clear plan to build long-term climate resilience on your farm or ranch.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the course, you will:

Understand the key concepts of climate resilience and assess your exposure to climate risks.
Evaluate your farm or ranch across seven essential areas: landscape, water, soil, crops, livestock, human health, and financial health.
Identify vulnerabilities and develop a personalized Climate Resilience Action Plan.
Explore proven strategies and tools to prepare for and recover from climate-related disasters.
Build a proactive mindset to help your operation stay sustainable, adaptable, and profitable for generations to come.

Course Modules

This on-demand course includes four interactive modules that guide you through assessment, planning, and action:

Assessing Your Farm or Ranch for Climate Resilience
Building Resilience, Part I
Building Resilience, Part II
Climate Change: Preparing for Natural Disasters

Each module includes learning materials, assessment worksheets, resilience goals, and supplemental Climate Resilience Fact Sheets. You’ll also hear directly from Oregon farmers in short videos sharing how they’re adapting to climate challenges in real time.

What to Expect

This course was developed by the Oregon State University Center for Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems and the OSU Small Farms Program, supported by the USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.

Fully Online & Self-Paced: Learn anywhere, anytime.
No Instructor, but you can contact the course coordinator with questions.
Hands-On Planning Tools: Access templates, checklists, and planning guides.
Long-Term Access: Revisit materials for 24 months to refine your resilience strategy.

Who Should Enroll

Whether you grow crops, raise livestock, or manage mixed operations, you’ll walk away with a clearer path toward resilience and stability.

This course is ideal for:

Small- to medium-scale farmers and ranchers seeking to safeguard their operations against climate impacts.
Large-scale producers who want to enhance sustainability and disaster preparedness.
Extension educators, consultants, and agricultural organizations supporting climate adaptation in their regions.

Why Climate Resilience Matters

With the right planning and mindset, your operation can not only withstand change — it can lead the way in sustainable agriculture.

Farmers and ranchers are on the front lines of climate change. Building resilience helps you:

Protect your soil, water, and animals from increasing climate stress.
Strengthen your farm’s financial health against unpredictable weather.
Reduce long-term risks and recovery costs from disasters.
Support your community’s food security and environmental sustainability.

Ready to Strengthen Your Farm’s Future?

Start today. Access the course immediately after registration and begin building your farm or ranch’s climate resilience action plan.

This course is 100% online and on-demand.

Online

$60

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Past Students' Work

Take a look at some recent projects our students have created.