Agricultural Technical Service Providers and Rural Resilience: Adapting to Weather, Climate, and Water Challenges

Authors

Rebecca Witinok-Huber, University of WyomingFollow
Emily Peters, University of Wyoming, Agricultural and Applied Economics Department
Kristiana Hansen, University of Wyoming, Agricultural and Applied Economics Department and University of Wyoming ExtensionFollow
Windy Kelley, University of Wyoming Extension, USDA Northern Plains Climate Hub
Juliet Daniels, University of Wyoming ExtensionFollow
Micah Most, University of Wyoming ExtensionFollow

Keywords

agricultural extension, community resilience, Cooperative Extension Services, needs assessment, program development, technical service providers

Abstract

Increasing temperatures and extreme weather events challenge agricultural production worldwide by reducing water availability and disrupting operational timelines. Extension educators and technical service providers (TSPs) provide critical assistance to producers. Yet they often face challenges in addressing weather- and climate-related issues due to limited climate literacy training, demanding workloads, and the sensitive nature of the topic. To better understand these challenges and job-specific needs gaps, we conducted a three-phase needs assessment–comprising six focus groups–to identify the needs of Wyoming TSPs in supporting producer decision-making regarding weather, climate, and water availability. Key findings include the need for additional training in climate and environmental sciences, enhanced climate communication skills, expanded place-based monitoring, more locally relevant outreach and education, improved data interpretation, forecasting, and information consolidation, and strengthened professional networks. By situating these findings within global conversations on agricultural resilience, knowledge transfer, and climate change, the study contributes recommendations for building trust, strengthening relationships, and advancing climate literacy and communication in climate-skeptical contexts. This work informs ongoing international efforts in capacity building and extension education, offering insights for Cooperative Extension Services and similar programs, particularly in rural and politically diverse contexts.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Rights Statements

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0

Recommended Citation

Witinok-Huber, R., Peters, E., Hansen, K., Kelley, W., Daniels, J., & Most, M. (2026). Agricultural Technical Service Providers and Rural Resilience: Adapting to Weather, Climate, and Water Challenges. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 33(1), 62-88.