Blog Post

Brightwood Farms: A grant story

Dean and Susan Vidal, who run Brightwood farms, recently hosted interns Christina and Nina through the Ag Workforce Development Program (AWDP), which provides financial incentives for both employers and interns. Christina comes from a background in farming, having spent time helping in an orchard on her parents’ land in Grand Junction.

New testing procedure for Trich samples in Colorado labs simplifies submission process and improves test sensitivity

As Tritrichomonas foetus (Trich) testing is soon to pick up again, the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Lab and the Colorado State University Veterinary Diagnostic labs in Fort Collins, Grand Junction and Rocky Ford have begun using a new testing method: reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), that offers an extended submission timeframe and more cost effective sampling media. 

CDA's 2022 Year in Review

With 2022 almost in the rearview mirror, we’re reflecting on everything that’s happened over the past 12 months and how the Department’s work has helped invest in agricultural communities across Colorado so they can become even more resilient and successful. 

Over the past year, we’ve focused on four major priorities: diversifying and enhancing supply chains and market opportunities for Colorado producers, supporting the next generation of Ag leaders, investing in voluntary conservation practices, and promoting animal health and welfare.

Witnessing the strength of Southern Colorado

Agriculture and politics have something in common. When they’re working right, they’re flying under the radar. When there are bumps in the road, everyone is very aware of just how much they impact our daily lives. 

In rural areas, the lines blur even more often between the two as producers are used to doing what needs to be done - whether that’s on their operations or in their community.