Today, Colorado State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin released the last premises quarantine in Colorado enacted as a result of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. With the release of the final HPAI quarantine, Colorado has achieved HPAI-free status as designated by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
Small food retailers and small family farmers will soon be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 to expand access to healthy food in low income and underserved areas of the state. The Small Food Business Recovery & Resilience Grant, offered by the Community Food Access program at the Colorado Department of Agriculture, will start accepting applications tomorrow.
Colorado is good at growing potatoes, whether it’s in the San Luis Valley, Eastern Plains, or even on the Front Range! Perhaps the most well known potatoes come from the San Luis Valley, which is home to many potato farming families who grow more than 70 varieties of potatoes. With plenty of sunshine and higher elevations, the valley’s mild growing conditions are ideal for potatoes. They even celebrate the potato with its very own festival!
All 12 Wines Will be Available to Taste Alongside Chef Pairings During the Colorado Uncorked Public Tasting Event on November 3rd
The 2023 Colorado’s Electric Cooperatives Junior Livestock Sale held today at the Colorado State Fair raised more than $470,350 in the auction of 108 animals raised and shown by young people from across Colorado. The 2023 Grand Champion Market Beef, raised by Hadli Gabel of Weld County, was sold for $50,000 at today’s event and was purchased by the Sam Brown family.
From the six food trucks competing in the third annual Governor’s Plate competition at the Colorado State Fair, Stoke Pizza received the Golden Plate award for their wood-fired chorizo, elote, and green chile pizza. Papa Mario’s Grilled Cheese was chosen as the People’s Choice winner for a third year in a row for their Tiff Special roast beef sandwich.
Governor Jared Polis sampled all dishes to award the Golden Plate and event attendees voted on their favorites during the event.
Blockchain is an emerging technology that has seen increased use across the agricultural supply chain, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture is sharing a series of educational videos to address general questions and concerns about blockchain technology. Funded through House Bill 22-1053, the four videos are helping explain how blockchain can help agricultural businesses across the world create efficiencies and increase profit.
Hope you’re ready to have “Mountains of Fun” as the 151st Colorado State Fair kicks off today! The fairgrounds in Pueblo are bustling as organizers get ready to host approximately half a million fairgoers during the course of the next 11 days. This year's Colorado State Fair runs from August 25, through Labor Day, September 4, 2023.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture is searching for a Director of the Markets Division. This position provides the operational and strategic management of the Markets Division, providing high-level direction for all Division programs and initiatives, including numerous grant and loan programs, marketing and promotion of Colorado producers and products, fruit and vegetable inspections, and more.
Tom Lipetzky, the current Director of CDA’s Markets Division, is retiring at the end of September after more than a 38 year career, with 17 of those years at CDA.
Colorado winegrowers can now apply for the Wine & Grape Industry Processing Grant to increase their processing capacity both at the winery and in the vineyard. Up to $250,000 will be available to producers through competitive grants, offered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture through the Farm to Market Infrastructure Program.