The National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) traveled to Raleigh for a RMA drought informational workshop that highlighted the decision support and risk management tools as well as projects that the NDMC maintains. Specifically highlighted were the Vegetation Drought Response Index (VegDRI), the Drought Impact Reporter (DIR), and the Drought Monitor Decision Support System (DM DSS). Larry Atkinson from the NC RMA office welcomed the 62 participants to the listening session.
Local presentations included an overview of the water usage in the agricultural community, drought and climate change, and North Carolina’s tools for drought management and monitoring. The overall experience in North Carolina allowed the NDMC to reach a specific audience of stakeholders. We received quality written and verbal feedback from potential users of the tools and also were able to collect contact information from many of those individuals in order to initiate further dialogue and to be of assistance to them in the future if requested.