Press Release

Two New Regional Assistant Commissioners to Join CDA

The Colorado Department of Agriculture has hired two new Regional Assistant Commissioners to help strengthen the agency’s connection to agricultural communities across the state. These positions were created last year and serve as a key resource to continue building and maintaining trusted relationships with rural communities and ag producers across the state.

Information Update on Range Riders, Budget Proposals to State Legislature to Assist Ranchers, Livestock Owners

Range riders are boots-on-the-ground support to livestock producers to help protect herds from wolves

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and the Department of Agriculture (CDA) provided information today on range riders and budget proposals to the state legislature to assist ranchers and livestock owners. CDA and CPW are working on a plan to get on-the-ground assistance within the next two weeks with range riders.

Competitive Grant Application Period Now Open for Agricultural Leadership Development

Applications are now accepted for the 2024 round of the NextGen Ag Leadership Grants, which provides funding to programs that support the next generation in agriculture through scholarships, career development, and other training opportunities. Grant funding is available to agricultural organizations and educational institutions that support leadership opportunities for people going into the broad and diverse agricultural industry.

Farm Operators Invited to Learn About New Ag Water Inspection Requirements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Produce Safety Rule ended harvest and post-harvest agricultural water enforcement discretion for both large and small farms who use water during or after produce harvest. The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) staff inspects farms to ensure compliance with subpart E of the Produce Safety Rule, which sets standards for how to test, treat, and monitor the water used during the harvest and post harvest activities, such as harvesting, packing, holding, and transporting of the produce.