HOTCHKISS, Colo. — Landowners are invited to attend the “Forage Establishment, Renovation &
Management Demonstration Plot Open House,” on Friday, October 4, 2019. This event will be held from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Delta County Fairgrounds located at 403 S. 4th Street, Hotchkiss, CO in the
southeast corner of the fairgrounds, by the river.
The demonstration plot offers a hands-on view of 17 species of irrigated grasses and another 17 species
of dryland grasses suited for the local area climate and soils. These grasses can be used for agricultural
and natural resource conservation purposes, such as: growing hay, grazing livestock, weed suppression,
erosion control, and enhancement of wildlife habitat.
This year’s Open House features experts from Colorado State University Extension, Colorado
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Delta Conservation District, and
other industry leaders. Attendees will be able to take a self-guided walking tour and discuss their
property needs with local professionals. Booths on a variety of topics including pasture, livestock, soils,
and invasive weed management will be set up at various stations at the demonstration plot.
Open House participants will also be able to demo rangeland monitoring apps that help users interpret
soil and plant signs in landscapes in order to make better management decisions, observe a soil
texturing demonstration that landowners can use to assess their own soils, ask local experts specific
questions and discuss the best options to help you meet your agricultural and natural resources
management objectives.
The project is a cooperative effort by CSU Extension, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, Delta Conservation District, Delta County, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, and private
enterprise partners.
The program is free and there’s no cost to participate. For more information call 970-874-2195.
— USDA and Colorado State University Extension
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