The Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Management Program and the Colorado State University Extension signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize a partnership that details how these two critical state resources will work hand in hand during emergencies impacting Colorado’s agriculture communities.
In an effort to curb further spread of the HPAI virus and implement additional control measures to protect the dairy and poultry industries and public health in Colorado, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is implementing mandatory statewide surveillance for all Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) licensed commercial cow dairies. This action will help identify any additional infected dairies with the virus with the goal of preventing further spread of the disease.
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.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture has hired Dan Frazen to serve as the Agriculture Emergency Coordinator for Colorado, a position CDA created this year after approval by the legislature to build out the Department’s emergency response capabilities. In this new position, Frazen will lead the Department’s response to all-hazards incidents that impact agricultural communities and coordinate with other government agencies and stakeholders for all phases of disaster management.
The Marshall Fire damaged or destroyed over a thousand homes and businesses in Boulder County, when it burned over 6,000 acres of land. In addition to tightly packed urban residences, this geographic region also includes small ranches, backyard horses and livestock, as well as open space and grazing with commercial livestock.