DENVER — Connecting the agriculture industry with Southern Colorado peers, while sharing firsthand experiences, reactions and key learnings for building resilience and cultivating food systems during unprecedented times – from pandemic to drought and wildfires.
WHO / PANELISTS / TOPICS:
A mix of Southern Colorado-based ag panelists will share their stories, to help guide other ag communities in building resilience and thriving through the challenges of 2020, and strategic shifts for new opportunities and productivity.
- Wendy White, marketing specialist, Colorado Proud: Moderator for the panel discussion
- Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg, Colorado Department of Agriculture: Southern Colorado’s resiliency over the past six months, a look ahead into ag this fall, next year
- Jim Ehrlich, executive director, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Monte Vista: Potato crop, weather challenges, export disruptions
- Max Fields and James Plate, Fields to Plate Produce, first-generation produce farmers, Durango: Transportation and distribution, CSAs, alternative dining experiences, marketing and social media
- George Whitten, cattle producer, San Juan Ranch, San Luis Valley near Saguache: Beef production, supply chain, consumer interest in local beef
- Michael Hirakata, fourth-generation farmer, Hirakata Farms, Rocky Ford: Work force, harvest update, farmers/roadside markets, local support, multi-generational farming
WHAT: The informative Colorado Proud Resilience in Southern Colorado Agriculture: Adapting, Recovering and Thriving Virtual Roundtable will feature a panel discussion and Q&A about key learnings and resilience during unprecedented times and disruption. Hosted by Colorado Proud, a program of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the online roundtable is available for media, Colorado Proud members, ag industry professionals and the general public. Questions for panelists can be submitted via “chat” in real time during the Roundtable. Held online via Zoom – RSVP required.
WHEN: TOMORROW, Sept. 29, from Noon to 1:00 p.m.
“Check-in” will begin starting at 11:45 a.m., with discussion starting promptly at Noon
WHERE: Online via Zoom – Meeting password, link and phone number will be provided with RSVP
WHY: This year has brought new challenges with the pandemic, drought and wildfires impacting changes in demand, supplies, distribution and local/eating buying. And yet, agriculture resilience recognizes the need to adapt, recover and even thrive from disruptions with new strategies for operations and production. Southern Colorado has become a case study for resilience, as this region’s farmers and ranchers are essential producers for Colorado agriculture; and their experiences impact Colorado’s food system and economy. Also, many farms in this notable region have been in the same families for over 100 years; therefore, resilience plays a critical role in both agriculture and Southern Colorado’s heritage, continuing farming and ranching practices for multiple generations.
Agriculture is an important economic driver in the state, consistently ranking as one of Colorado’s leading industries and is in the top-10 nationally for production of a variety of agricultural products. With more than 38,900 farms encompassing nearly 32 million acres, agriculture is a vital part of Colorado, supporting more than 195,000 jobs, contributing more than $47 billion to the state’s economy annually.
RSVP: RSVP here
An RSVP is required to secure a password and access
RECIPES: Local recipe ideas for a Colorado Proud desktop lunch to enjoy during the Roundtable: Recipe Link
— Colorado Proud
For more news from Colorado, click here.