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Stories of Change: Climate + Soil
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Rainfall is on the rise in the Hoosier State, especially in southern Indiana where they see on average 8 more inches of annual rain compared to 125 years ago. Among the biggest threats of increased rainfall is the impact it has on soil, which third-generation farmer Chris Mulkey describes as his most precious resource.
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At Mulkey Farms, they're trying to get ahead of it by installing stand pipes, terreces, and more field tile. They've increased spending on new equipment and precision technology. Mulkey says he’s willing to do what it takes to protect his farm's soil, but he's not sure if these efforts can keep up in the long run. Still, he's determined to leave his soil and his land in better shape for his kids and his grandkids.
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Indiana Climate Leadership Summit 2020
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Congratulations to Evansville, Indiana on being selected to host the 2020 Climate Leadership Summit! The exact date of this annual mayor-led event has not yet been announced, but you can expect the summit to happen in late summer.
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The Climate Leadership Summit, coordinated by Earth Charter Indiana, brings together mayors, city leaders, and community partners to discuss the threats and opportunities facing Hoosiers in a changing climate. Last year's summit in Goshen, Indiana was attended by about 300 people representing 21 different cities.
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Are You Putting the IN CCIA Into Action?
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Thank you to everyone who has helped us get the IN CCIA reports and resources into the hands of people who can use them. Whether you're helping communities plan for the future, or working to reduce human influence on our climate, or applying this science in some other way, we want to hear how you've put the IN CCIA into action! Contact Us.
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February 26, 2020 | Angola, IN
IN CCIA coordinator Melissa Widhalm will be speaking at the 73th annual Great Lakes Park Training Institute about the impacts of climate change on Midwestern tourism and parks. (Learn more)
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February 26, 2020 | West Lafayette, IN
PCCRC Director Jeff Dukes will talk about the impacts of climate change on agriculture and invasive species at the Tippecanoe County SWCD Annual Meeting. (Learn more)
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February 29, 2020 | Indianapolis, IN
Purdue Extension educator Hans Schmitz will be presenting information about weather and climate trends in Indiana at the Purdue Extension-Marion County Spring Garden Clinic. (Learn more)
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March 4, 2020 | Goshen, IN
PCCRC director Jeff Dukes will be speaking about weather trends and patterns at a winter workshop sponsored by Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District. (Learn more)
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March 6, 2020 | Indianapolis, IN
PCCRC director Jeff Dukes will be sharing information from the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment at the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Symposium. (Learn more)
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March 11, 2020 | Seymour, IN
IN CCIA coordinator Melissa Widhalm will be sharing information about Indiana's changing climate and impacts on agriculture at the Seymour Chamber of Commerce Ag Breakfast. (Learn more)
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March 17, 2020 | Rockville , IN
IN CCIA coordinator Melissa Widhalm will be talking about the local impacts of Indiana's changing climate at an event sponsored by the Parke-Vermillion Master Gardeners Association. (Learn more)
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March 20, 2020 | Stergis, MI
IN CCIA coordinator Melissa Widhalm will be talking about the impacts of climate change on water resources at the 13th Annual St. Joseph River Watershed Council Celebration. (Learn more)
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March 28, 2020 | Valaraiso, IN
IN CCIA co-author and University of Notre Dame professor Alan Hamlet will be presenting the keynote address at the 2020 Earthtones Environmental Conference. (Learn more)
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March 31, 2020 | Brookston, IN
IN CCIA coordinator Melissa Widhalm will be talking about the local impacts of climate change at the Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy.
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Climate Facts
Did you know?
By mid-century, Indiana's frost-free season is expected to lengthen by about 3.5 to 4.5 weeks, on average. This in turn will affect soil temperatures.
According to the IN CCIA Agriculture report, Indiana soils are expected to warm up earlier in the spring. Shown to the right are the average historical and future projected dates for when soil temperatures first reach 50 degrees.
While air and soil temperatures by mid-century will warm up earlier than today, planting is unlikely to happen earlier due to the large increase in winter and spring precipitation. Suitable crop planting conditions depend on both temperature and soil moisture.
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Above: Date when soil temperature at 4-inch depth first exceeds 50°F for the historical period (1981 to 2010) and mid-century projections (2041 to 2070) based on a medium-emissions scenario. Soil temperatures greater than 50°F are recommended for spring planting of corn.
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About Us:
Led by the Purdue Climate Change Research Center, the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment (IN CCIA) is a statewide effort that brings the best available climate change research together into a series of reports designed to help Hoosiers better understand climate change-related risks so they can prepare for challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
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