Colorado Young Farmer

Colorado Young Farmers


Colorado is classified as a semi-arid state that gets on average 15 inches of rain a year. There is a diversity of climates and geographical regions in the state of Colorado. The state encapsulates most of the Southern Rocky Mountains and the western edge of the Great Plains. The soil on the eastern plains is the most fertile in the nation.

Here are some pertinent facts about Colorado agriculture:

  • Colorado is the number one producer of proso millet in the USA. Proso millet is used for livestock feed.
  • Colorado produces over 100 million pounds of pinto beans a year.
  • Colorado has the fourth largest production of sunflowers in the USA.
  • Colorado's leading vegetable crops are potatoes, onions and cabbage.
  • Colorado's leading fruit crops are peaches, apples and cantaloupes.
  • Cattle is the number one agricultural commodity in Colorado (2.6 million head of cattle a year).
  • Colorado is the fourth in the USA for sheep, lamb and wool production.
  • There are 4 million chickens in Colorado.
  • Colorado agriculture accounts for $7 billion a year of the state economy.
  • About 105,000 people are employed in Colorado agribusiness.

All these facts make Colorado sound like a great place to be a young farmer. Well, it always helps to be young and strong when you are a farmer, but the harder situation is being a small farmer. Agribusiness in Colorado as in most places in the USA is dominated by big farms and big corporations.

Have you ever wondered at the disparity there is between the quality of local produce in Colorado - the apples you eat off the trees, the cheese from the nearby dairy farm - and the processed and unhealthy food found in Colorado supermarkets? Colorado is at the heart of the farming business in America. Farmers in Colorado want to produce the best fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and poultry but it is not up to them.

A few large corporations control the food industry in the USA. Over 80% of the products in the average supermarket come from 5 food companies. These companies have such a large market share that they dictate to the farmers, the chicken raisers, the dairy farmers and the supermarkets. They also dictate to Congress and the Senate it seems.

Small and medium-sized farms in Colorado are driven out of business because the big food companies set prices that they cannot compete with. A good example of this are farms for broiler chickens (chicken that are raised to eat). The chicken processing companies set strict guidelines for 'growing' chickens that often include expensive and unnecessary upgrades. If chicken farmers don't comply or they complain they lose their contract and go out of business because in most districts there is only one buyer of chickens.

The Packers and Stockyards Act requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to enforce Fair Farm Rules. The act has been the books since 1921 but has never been enforced. If done so it would stop preferential contracts given to factory farms, especially for hogs and cattle. It would stop one buyer representing multiple meatpackers. This practice is common and it removes competition from the bidding process thus preventing prices going up from multiple bids. The bill would also prevent chicken farmers from losing their contracts for speaking out against abuse. And the bill, if enforced, would stop the practice of forcing chicken farmers to make upgrades if their equipment already worked.

The irony of the situation is that although the meatpackers and poultry processors control the market the price of food continues to go up because of inflation. The profits from large-scale contracts and factory farming are not passed on to the consumer. Quite the reverse - the quality of the food in supermarkets means consumers have higher health risks.

Colorado young farmers are asking for the proper enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, and for the state of Colorado to support small and medium-size farms throughout the State. The facts stated above would paint a far rosier picture if the wealth from agriculture was spread more evenly. It would also be better for the State of Colorado if perhaps we raised fewer cattle and chickens and the ones we did raise were given healthier and more humane environments. That way the consumers, the animals and the people of Colorado would all benefit.

The State of Colorado is located in the mountain region of US. The town offers the best mountain opinions accessible in United states for the investors. Buying a great investment property in Colorado can gives you more savings for your family. Here are just a few interesting things which Colorado provides with regard to tourist around the globe. Komproment Tegl is one of the main products from colorado and one of main the producers of Tegl is Nyt Tag which is located in the northen Colorado near the Mount Elbert, the best point of the state is the level where Airfare River runs out of Yuma County and the most interesting thing is that this is the lowest point for the entire US. Denver Colorado is famous for animals farming, like the cattle as well as the hog producing. It is a great idea for Farming – Colorado – U.S.A.

 

The most valuable innovation within modern agriculture has been the perfection among the drip cleansing system. Even though most efficient kind of trickle drip irrigation may be the underground emitter, there are a few applications which require micro-spray. As farming techniques develop, and the consuming water supply dwindles, a underground techniques could very well dominate completely. In order to deliver consuming water to the roots, the only area of the plant that needs dampness, would create a huge consuming water savings. It is estimated that traditional types of irrigation are just 30-40% efficient. In the current era associated with droughts, climate change, along with population development, wasting actually one quart of water is a travesty; as well as the situation is only getting more dire each year.  This is why the production of komproment tegl is getting larger and larger every year and why companies like Nyt Tag is getting so popular like you can see here at the latest sales chart at Nyt Tag or you could a look at the many brand new tegl producter from Nyt Tag here at Komproment Tegl.

 

Water issues are not a problem in the Cortez area. All of the reservoirs close to Cortez have quite high up the foods chain fluid rights, yet willfully participate in non-reflex restrictions causing an immediate reduction of 20%. Way to go. Doing this same program has been put in place in Northern Colorado and Pueblo, Canon as well as other parts along with excellent achievement and stopping further law suits from lower stream states which are depriving. If you will recall the water problems and that will fire last few years and also the issues with the rivers associated with Colorado, Az and NM you will recall the importance and is often used to ship Komproment Tegl form one location to another.

 

The Denver Colorado is so greatly used in which by the time that reaches it’s lower training course near Yuma, Az, it no more consistently gets to the Beach of California in Mexico. This has lead to significant habitat destruction inside Colorado Lake delta area in Mexico. Farming use drain pipes the vast majority of the Colorado’s water. There are fourteen indigenous species of fish in the Co. Some of the fish are now threatened species.

 

All of the Colorado Water is one of the most important rivers in the United States. It is the largest and most depended upon lake in the southwestern part of the United States of America. It is a important source of fluid for agriculture,Komproment Tegl, drinking water, wave power, and recreation for millions of citizens in the mainly desert U.S. Southwest part.

Colorado Wine Industry

April 16th, 2012

Giving wine gifts from vintners located in Colorado was virtually impossible a decade ago, but not so difficult any more.

Over time the wine industry has benefitted from a complete and utter modernization of the way it does things.  From farming and agricultural practices to the simple willingness to experiment a bit more, our grandparents wouldn’t recognize the wine industry in this country.

As an example, Colorado was always thought to be among the impossible states to grow wine in.  Things have changed because even if table wine can’t be made wel in Colorado, there is plenty of opportunity to create world class ice wines.

If you aren’t familiar ice wine is incredibly difficult to produce, but fetches more than the average Napa Cabernet once it is made.  The idea is simple, allow the grapes to freeze on the vine and then harvest at an exact temperature.  During harvest only a single drop or two of wine can be squeezed from each grape, because all the water in the grape has frozen.  That makes it almost impossible to farm, but the rewards can be great at the same time!

The Colorado Farm Bureau

April 14th, 2012

The actual physical location of most of Colorado’s farming is along the Eastern Plains of the state. This is for one very simple reason: once you go west of Denver, you start ascending into the Rocky Mountains! The plains comprise about one-third of Colorado’s total area. Route 25 is an unofficial north-south dividing line in the state – to the west lie the mountains and on the east are the plains. Many of the state’s large cities are along this route, including Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo.

The drive through the Rockies along route I-70 has some of the most beautiful scenery of the interstate highway system. Although the 70 is pretty boring as you drive west through Kansas, it gets really good once you pass through Denver. The road is considered an engineering miracle because of such landmarks as the Eisenhower tunnel. This is basically a tunnel that was carved through a mountain. It goes under the Continental Divide, and is one of the highest-elevation tunnels in the world. 

Now if you’re interested in farming in Colorado, some of the most popular crops are. It’s also interesting to note that hemp is a possible new crop that could be grown. Colorado has plenty of farmland suited for production, so this is likely to be a growth crop. In 2000, the state passed Amendment 20, which allows for the legal use of our favorite substance. Naturally, the sale of items related to this industry has grown – specifically the use of vaporizers. I recently read a volcano vaporizer review which pointed out that these can be used for different aromatherapy herbs like lemon, peppermint, and lavendar. These herbs can be grown in Colorado as well. 

An excellent source for the news that affects farming in Colorado is the Farm Bureau. This organization exists to protects the interests of farmers, ranchers, and and other agriculture in the state. Anyone can join the organization; you don’t necessarily have to be a farmer (although that would help). The only requirement is that you be a Coloradan. Note that the preferred term to refer to a Colorado resident is Coloradan. Although some people still use the term Coloradoan, it’s considered to be somewhat antiquated.

Apart from crop farming, Colorado is also quite popular for ranching. One of the main sources of irrigation is the Arkansas River. This river starts in Colorado and flows to east/ southeast before joining up with the Mississippi. 

For many, the choice to become a farmer comes from a love of the land and the ability to see a creation through from start to finish.  These days with the commercialization of agriulcture, becoming a farmer is not an easy path, nor is it particularly lucrative in many cases.  However, those who are drawn to it cannot always describe why they do it, but they just say that they are drawn to it.

For young farmers in Colorado, there are many educational choices that can help them become a better farmer.  The Colorado FFA, for example, is a wonderful choice for young farmers to learn about leadership, personal growth, and career success via agricultural education.  Joining the FFA is a good choice for youths of all ages.

At the college level, the College of Agricultural Sciences at the Colorado State University in Fort Collins provides excellent college-level education on all aspects of farming from horticulture to agribusiness to equine science.  Graduating from a agriculture-related college program can give future farmers career choices outside of their own farm if the need arises.

Continuing education and trade skill education should also be considered.  For example, Colorado farmers may also be interested in attending a gunsmithing school to learn about how to properly service their hunting and game guns and rifles.

As you can see, many different types of educational opportunities exist for Colorado young farmers.  Education also happens every day at the farm, of course, but outside education can create a more well-rounded farmer.

Colarado has some of the most fertile agricultural land in America and is one of the most important states in America for livestock feed. Indeed Colorado is the leading producer of proso millet. It also has the fourth largest crop of sunflowers in America. It is a state that is heavily dependent on agribusiness. But is it a good thing?

Traditionally, the main purpose of agriculture has been to feed people. Until the Industrial revolution, agriculture took up more jobs than easily any other profession. Now with fertilizers, pesticides, and petrol driven farming equipment and transportation everything has changed. Proportionally few people are employed in agriculture, farms are getting bigger and crop diversity is becoming less. The purpose of agriculture is now to make money. The notion of making money from agriculture is seen as a positive thing in the USA. People talk of ’agribusiness’ in a neutral way in the USA; whereas the word has negative connotations in many social circles in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

Agribusiness in Colorado is making $7 billion a year for the state. But how equally is this wealth being shared around? What are the hidden costs to Colorado in terms of the degradation of land due to the over use of toxic pesticides? What is the damage to natural environment? How many indigenous seeds have been contaminated by GM products? Damage to natural resources can now be assessed in terms of money, and this information is sorely lacking for the young Colrado farmer looking to set up a farm.

One of the solutions is more diversification of crops. Crops take from and put different things in the soil and by breaking up crops into smaller parcels the soil is less drained. This is one of the tenets behind permaculture – letting nature do the work for you, by choosing a diversity of plants and livestock that will mutually benefit each other. A farm is not a factory, and the sooner people in Colorado and the USA realize this the better it will be for people’s health and for the health of the environment.

Suggested paths for diversification include growing bamboo. It is a plant that reaches maturity in just 7 years and can be used for a range of products that include food, medicine, fuel (as bamboo charcoal), fetilizer, pesticide and ’timber’ for construction, flooring and furniture making. Bamboo helps to improve the water retention of land and stops soil erosion. There are over 1,400 types of bamboo and many of them are suited to the various climatic conditions of Colorado.

It is thinking out-of-the-box like this that made America great in the first place, and it is such thinking that can restore America’s natural resources which are being shamelessly drained by the profit motive.

Can You Explain The CYF Program?

The Colorado Young Farmer program is a program devoted to early farming instruction and cultivation of the land amidst today’s logistical issues. We discuss much more than the soil; air and water are discussed in detail in conjunction with soil.

Who Can Enroll In The Program?

Anyone interested in farming, agriculture, or both is encouraged to enroll.

How Are Classes Run? Classes commence in August of every year. However, schedules are adapted to fit local community needs by avoiding high time in the ag calendar. The annual course of study at each school includes many organized instructional meetings that focus on core competencies and other basic farming functions. Tours, community projects, social activities and individualized visits by the instructor to class members at their jobs supplement classroom teaching. The Young Farmer program is usually conducted by local vocational agriculture instructors in addition to their regular high school or college agriculture classes, however, some schools employ young farmers or adult education instructors who devote all or nearly all of their time to the program.

Class Curriculum Includes (but is not limited to):

Farm, Ranch & Agri-Business Management

Agricultural Career Advancement

Using Available Agriculture Services

Producing, Handling and Utilizing

Ag Retail & Commercial Products

Resource Conservation

In House Improvement Techniques

Expanding Technical Prowess

Spreading The Word Locally and Nationally

What’s In It For Me?

The Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association is a statewide organization of individuals who have competed in the Young Farmer Program. Not only is it not for profit, it is a non political outfit as well. A state institute like this is important on a number of fronts. Here, members are encouraged to participate in all of our fabulous programs not available at the local level, to conduct association business and to enjoy fellowship with other Young Farmers in Colorado.

What Guest Speakers Are Scheduled To Attend This Fiscal Year?

Guest speakers include Graham Floyd (Healthy Soil, Healthy Soul), Brendon (Blendtec or Vitamix?) and Talia (Horticultureshock) but we have many more pending. These guests weave their existing businesses into the ever changing world of farming Colorado soil. Most are Colorado residents and have ties to the farming community that go well beyond the land. The guest rotation was created around 1960. Many current and former members attended the National Young Farmer Educational Institute at one point in time.

How Are Gatherings Organized?

Organization of a Young Farmers Educational Program begins at the local level, with the assistance of the local high school vocational agriculture instructor, and/or the nearest area vocational school, community or junior college agricultural department. Each vocational agricultural instructor is trained in the formation and operation of Young Farmer instructional programs. Visit our chapters page to locate a chapter near you.

This Costs An Arm And A Leg, Doesn’t It?

Tuition charges vary according to the school which provides the program, since it must conform to the school’s established tuition and fees to pay for ancillary supplies and travel costs. Administrative and overhead costs are kept to the minimum. The Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association’s dues are now free of charge. The NYFEA dues run about $20 annually. Our fees haven’t been increased in over five years, although they are subject to increases at any time.

We look forward to seeing our group flourish with the new ’crop’ of youths and our bring a friend promotion is on going.

Wine Trade

May 16th, 2012

I think we have talked about it before in this space, but living in Denver we’re at the forefront of the craft beer movement.  Personally, I think there is some damn good wine being made as well.  As a member of a couple of different wine clubs, I haven’t ever seen a Colorado winery be featured though.

I wondered why not, until looking into the wine trade some more.  As it turns out virtually every trade organization and third party which sells wine is based in California.  It’s probably no wonder that California wineries dominate all aspects of the market huh?

 

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