webinar

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.

Produce Safety Rule: Ag Water Webinar

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A bunch of lettuce being washed immediately after harvest

Harvest and Post Harvest Water enforcement discretion has ended for both large and small farms. 

If you have questions or concerns about how this will affect your farm, you can talk to CDA's Produce Safety Program staff to find out what this rule change will mean for you.

Grants Available for Projects Showcasing Agrivoltaics in Colorado

To help demonstrate one of the many ways agriculture can contribute to addressing the effects of climate change, Colorado is investing $500,000 in projects that help advance the use of agrivoltaics in the state. 

Agrivoltaics is the practice of co-locating solar energy installations and agriculture, with crops or grazing land beneath or between rows of photovoltaic panels. Now, farmers, ranchers, and other landowners with innovative ideas on how to use agrivoltaics in Colorado will have a chance to apply for funding for their projects. 

Is your farm or ranch prepared if disaster strikes? Learn how to prep for emergencies.

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. 

NextGen Grant Program Funding Ag Leadership Opportunities Accepting Applications

The NextGen Leadership Grant Program, which supports the next generation in agriculture through scholarships, career development, and other leadership training opportunities, is now taking applications from agricultural organizations and educational institutions that support developmental and training opportunities for people going into the broad and diverse food and agricultural industry. The competitive grants will fund up to $25,000 per project with $120,000 in total funding available.