Demeter's Resilience: Exploring the Farming Experience of Appalachian Kentucky Female Farmers in the Age of Climate Change

Abstract

Despite ample scientific evidence proving climate change is occurring, climate change skepticism and denial remain heavily politicized and polarizing issues across the Appalachian region. Personal accounts can provide an accessible entry point for alleviating skepticism and contributing to an increased understanding of climate change and its local consequences. This exploratory study complements existing literature regarding climate change perception by providing an experiential and localized understanding and awareness of climate change from an often-marginalized group: rural, female farmers in Appalachian Kentucky. This study aims to examine the impact that personal experience has on Kentucky female farmers’ perception of climate change and their willingness to adopt adaptation and mitigation strategies. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted and coded using a hierarchical coding framework to inform this study. This research note highlights the observations and perspectives of six Appalachian farmers in Kentucky as they navigate farming during climate change.