Blog Post

Farm Bill 2022 Listening Sessions Eastern Plains

Senator Michael Bennet will host three days of Farm Bill listening sessions throughout Eastern Colorado next week in Fort Morgan, Sterling, Wray, Burlington, Lamar, Springfield, La Junta, and Limon. Listening sessions anticipate next year’s reauthorization of the Farm Bill which will impact a variety of sectors.

San Luis Valley Tour, Part two: Water & Soil

Water was an important focus of our trip as it is a critical resource for agriculture. Part of the purpose of our visit to the San Luis Valley was to see irrigation projects and attend the Congreso de Acequias, an annual celebration of water, land, and community that shines a light on acequias as both irrigation ditches and forms of community self-governance. Throughout our visit, we were reminded that water plays an essential role in the communities of the Valley. 

San Luis Valley Tour, Part One: Hope & Heritage

In late May, Commissioner Greenberg, Ag Commission member George Whitten and Deputy Director of Outreach Bethany Howell - the latter two both San Luis Valley residents - were honored to spend concentrated time with producers in the hidden gem of Colorado, the San Luis Valley. 

2022 Legislative Session Sends $20M to Colorado Agriculture

Colorado’s 2022 legislative session saw the most bills introduced (717) in the past five years and the fewest bills passed (275) during a regular session since at least 2010. Yet from this relatively small number of bills, the Colorado Department of Agriculture will see significant impacts on our budget and our ability to support our state’s agricultural communities. 

Cyber Attacks on Food & Ag Businesses Increasing

The Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) is warning ag producers about cyber threats facing the food and agriculture sector. 

As the state agency in charge of assessing and sharing threat-related information, the CAIC is cautioning those in the Food and Agriculture sector to review their systems for any potential vulnerabilities. Businesses that rely on technology-based solutions, such as precision agriculture or automated production processes, are especially vulnerable. 

Taking Stock of Mental Health

To commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month, CDA hosted a virtual discussion about rural mental health.

Our speakers included representatives from partner organizations based across Colorado and we touched on how stress and factors outside of our control can affect mental and physical health of farmers, ranchers, and others in agricultural communities. 

Our panelists included:

Jojo's Sriracha: A Grant Story

Jolene Collins of Jojo’s Sriracha made a big leap of faith when she decided to move her specialty sriracha processing operation from Denver to Pueblo. Making the most authentic, delicious, local sriracha meant living and working only a few miles away from where her main ingredient, the legendary Pueblo chile, is grown.