‘Agriculture’ Archives
Farm Bill Proposal deserved a Quick Death
By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs Over the last month, the leadership of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees pressed to finish a farm bill proposal that would cut 23 billion dollars over the next decade out of the USDA budget, through the Congressional Super Committee deficit reduction process, which must conclude by November 23rd. Fortunately, the Ag Committee proposal was never forthcoming. Rural America can breathe a ... Full Story
Two Goats Disqualified from Junior Livestock Sale
PUEBLO, Colo. – Two goats have been disqualified from the Colorado State Fair Junior Livestock Sale after testing confirmed the presence of ractopamine. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved ractopamine for use in goats, which means that no level of concentration is acceptable in the urine of the species. Therefore, the Grand Champion goat and another goat selected for the Junior Livestock Sale have been disqualified, and the funds from the Junior Livestock ... Full Story
Deadline Approaching for Listing in Annual Hay
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture is accepting listings for the 2011 Colorado Hay Directory. This annual publication, celebrating its 25th anniversary, markets Colorado hay to buyers in the state and around the country. “This publication is an important marketing tool that helps connect hay producers and buyers,” said Wendy White, marketing specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “Every year we receive requests for the directory from people across ... Full Story
Summer Camp with a Cooperative Twist
Summer Camp is not just a luxury for wealthy suburban families. For more than 70 years, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union has offered a camp program that is affordable, educational, and fun. The RMFU Cooperative Leadership Camps are held at the beginning of June in Bailey, Colorado, at the National Farmers Union Educational Center. Each year the camp curriculum covers a topic important to rural families. The campers come from all over the state, from inner city and 'burbs to little towns on the ... Full Story
Limit Direct Payments in 2012 Farm Bill
By Brian Depew briand@cfra.org Center for Rural Affairs With Congress hammering out budget cutting legislation and preparing to take up the 2012 farm bill, the next two years emerge as a crucial time for making commonsense cuts to agriculture spending. For federal farm programs, that means placing hard caps on payments made to the nation’s largest farms, subsidies those operations use to drive their smaller neighbors out of business. First, Congress should place a hard limit of $40,000 ... Full Story
“Spring Fling” in Greeley Features
Review of EPA Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Program The Weld County, Larimer County, and Adams/St. Vrain Farmers Unions will join with Agland Cooperative, Colorado Corn Growers, and Colorado Wheat Growers for a Weld County Spring Fling which will feature an appearance by Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar and a public information meeting to let farmers and ranchers know their obligations under the Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) ... Full Story
Colorado Ag Day Celebrates American Way of Life
By John Salazar Commissioner of Agriculture Throughout the centuries, the American way of life has stood for freedom, honor, and integrity. It’s no surprise that those are the same words I use to describe Colorado’s agricultural producers. It is through the hard work and dedication of our producers that we are able to provide safe, abundant, and affordable products for your family and dinner table. Colorado Ag Day is March 16 and it’s a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance ... Full Story
Bennet Backs Bill to End Veterinarian Shortfall in
14 Colorado Counties Have too Few Food Animal Veterinarians Washington, DC – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet has joined a bipartisan push to address the shortfall of veterinarians in underserved rural communities across Colorado and the country. The bipartisan Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act, which Bennet is cosponsoring, would bolster the nation’s veterinary workforce by eliminating taxes on programs that encourage veterinarians to practice in ... Full Story
Larimer County Hosts Farm Transition Workshop
Larimer County Hosts Farm Transition Workshop March 24 at Poudre Valley REA Headquarters Larimer County Farmers Union and Poudre Valley Cooperative Association will be co-sponsoring a forum Thursday, March 24, 2011, entitled; “Steps For Successful Farm Transition” – An Educational Program on Estate Planning. The program will be held in the conference room at the Poudre Valley REA (7649 REA Parkway, Fort Collins), beginning at 7:00 pm. The program will include presentations by a team of ... Full Story
Deadline Approaching for Inclusion in Annual Farm
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Colorado growers can market their products to consumers through the 27th annual Colorado Farm Fresh Directory. Listings are being accepted for the 2011 edition of the directory. Published by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Farm Fresh promotes Colorado farmers’ markets, roadside stands, u-picks, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) producers, agritourism activities and farms and ranches that sell direct to the public. “The Farm Fresh Directory continues to grow ... Full Story
