Agriculture Week is just around the corner, and Colorado is getting ready to celebrate the crucial role agriculture plays in our state’s diverse economy, heritage, and culture. In all corners of the state, anyone can join as we celebrate the bounty of Colorado agriculture between March 17-23.
Last week, Commissioner Kate Greenberg and the Colorado Department of Agriculture engaged in its first state-Tribal consultations with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe, in partnership with the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs staff.
Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg issued the following statement on the passing of Terry Fankhauser, former Executive Vice President of the Colorado Cattlemen's Association.
"Terry Fankhauser was a force for Colorado agriculture. I am deeply saddened by his loss. Terry and I worked together for many years prior to my time as Commissioner and through all of the years since.
Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg attended a Roundtable hosted by the United States Department of Agriculture and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack at the CSU SPUR campus in Denver on January 19, 2024.
Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg was recently appointed by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to serve on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Federal Advisory Committee. Commissioner Greenberg’s focus will be on Business and Economic Development.
This week, State Commissioners, Directors and Secretaries of Agriculture from Western states gathered in Denver for the annual Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture (WASDA) conference. Discussions included an opening youth panel, innovation in water resilience, public, private and philanthropic partnerships, and opportunities for producers using regenerative agriculture practices.
Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg was in Washington D.C. this week attending the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) conference to advocate for Colorado’s interests on the national level.
Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg met today with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Robert Bonnie to discuss the alignment between the state and federal agencies on climate resilience and stewardship of natural and working lands. They were joined by Colorado Farm Service Agency (FSA) state director Kent Peppler and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Clint Evans and others leading climate work for the federal government.
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.