Blog Post

Jerome and Ann Wheeler love their work. But even more than that, they love the animals who put the “family” in family operations. 

In the 1980s, G.I. Joe: Real American Hero animated TV series concluded each cartoon episode with a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for children: “Now you know, and knowing is half the battle!” 

Emergency preparedness and disaster management for a farm, ranch, or ag business follows that same mantra. If you know how to prepare, respond, and recover from an animal disease incursion or a natural disaster like flooding or wildfire, then you just need to follow your plan and act accordingly. 

Colorado is famous for our juicy peaches, nutritious beef, nourishing potatoes, and many other agricultural products that can fill a plate any time of year.

By Acres U.S.A.

The second regional Colorado STAR event took place on Friday, Feb. 24, in Rocky Ford, Colorado. Partners in the event included Acres U.S.A., the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the West Otero Timpas Conservation District.

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.

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. 

The Bureau of Animal Protection (BAP) is hosting multiple trainings throughout the state of Colorado to help law enforcement officers recognize and respond to cases of potential equine and livestock neglect and mistreatment.

Written by Mendy Stewart, Education Coordinator for the Shavano Conservation District

In October 2022, despite snow and cold, local farmers and soil health enthusiasts gathered to see Rick Strait’s demonstration on water infiltration.

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.

The beautiful bright fall colors were starting to spot the mountainside. It was mid-September, along the Arkansas River into Salida, Colorado where the inaugural Behavioral Health and Wellness in Agriculture Summit would be held. Organized by AgWell, a program of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, the summit had been a long time coming.