More than 200 agricultural producers participated in the 2008 Colorado Ag Classic held on Dec. 10 and 11, at The Ranch in Loveland. 

This is the fourth year of the Colorado Ag Classic. “It is important for the groups to get together and exchange ideas. The connections created between board members and producers from all of the different groups in attendance are good for Colorado agriculture,” said Dave Anderson, a wheat producer from Haxtun, Colo. and president of the Colorado Association of Wheat Growers.

The Colorado Ag Classic opened on the evening of Dec. 10, with a state legislative program featuring House Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Kathleen Curry (D-Gunnison), Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Jim Isgar (D-Hesperus) and committee members Reps. Cory Gardner (R-Yuma), Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Sterling), Randy Fischer (D-Fort Collins), Sens. Greg Brophy (R-Yuma) and Jack Taylor (R– Steamboat Springs) giving their perspectives on the key agricultural and rural issues that will be discussed in the next session of the Colorado General Assembly. A dinner and auction were held to raise funds for CAWG and CCGA state and national legislative efforts.

Dec. 11 opened with a unity breakfast hosted by Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Stulp. The executive committees of the host organizations were invited to discuss and come to consensus on issues of common interest to all of the participating organizations. Tony Frank, Interim President of Colorado State University, attended and gave an update on the university and on the search for the dean of the College of Agriculture. The breakfast also featured a presentation on the concept of a Colorado Agriculture Campus with a centralized office location to provide networking with all agricultural organizations.

The Commissioner of Agriculture opened the general session with remarks on the state of agriculture in Colorado. U.S. Representative-Elect Betsy Markey (D-4th) followed with her first speech to the agricultural community since being elected. Keynote speaker Al Ambrose concluded the morning session with his address entitled “Open Markets, Economic Growth and Prosperity – The Luckiest Generation.” 

Breakout sessions on Dec. 11 included presentations on the 2008 Farm Bill, grain marketing, wind energy, biomass, water courts, carbon credits, and marketing sessions on wheat and sunflowers. A Workers’ Compensation safety meeting was also held during the day.