Pictured L to R: Mike Flesher of Mountain Plains Farm Credit Services,

Colorado Contest Sponsor;

Artie Elmquist, St. Vrain Chapter, Contest Winner;

Jacqie Larson, Colorado Young Farmer Spokesperson for Agriculture

Contest Coordinator.

   

Meet Artie Elmquist the 2007 Colorado Young Farmer Spokesperson for Agriculture. A graduate of Skyline high school in Longmont in 1983, Artie pursued a bachelors degree in computer applications in agriculture at CSU graduating in 1987. He then returned to the family farm to apply his computer skills in the farming operation. In 1989, Artie became interested in helping rebuild the St. Vrain Chapter. In his local chapter he has held the chapter offices of president, vice-president and reporter.  Artie moved on to serve as an officer at the state level eventually serving as the 2003-2004 president of the Colorado Young Farmers Educational Association.

 

Artie has an irrigated farming operation in the Rinn Community southeast of Longmont along Interstate 25. Artie is proud of the fact his grandfather moved to this farm in 1923. Today, Artie is the third generation of his family to farm for the third generation of the landlord’s family. Artie grows alfalfa hay, Coors barley, corn for grain, sugarbeets and wheat.

 

As a state officer, Artie always emphasized the need for everyone involved in agriculture to be "spokespersons for agriculture". Artie, whose farming operation is located in an increasingly urban area, is constantly reminded that many of his new neighbors need to be educated about the importance of agriculture. That’s why Artie is active in community affairs including county growth issues and the Weld County Republicans.

 

Artie's speech for the spokesperson contest titled "Swapping Houses for Farmland" focused on his involvement with a group called SWAP (Southwest Weld County Alliance for Preservation).  Artie is the chairman of this group that is seeking to create in 2007, Weld County's first taxpayer sponsored land preservation program.  SWAP hopes to create a special district with voter approval that can collect a small property tax on each rooftop in the southwest part of the county.  This district would encompass the towns of Dacono, Erie, Firestone, Frederick and Mead.

These taxpayers dollars will be used to purchase developments rights on farmland in the area on a willing seller basis.

 

This program will provide a financial incentive for property owners to consider selling their development rights.  Property owners will be able to retain the ownership of their land, take advantage of the income tax benefits being offered by the State of Colorado and the federal government, and be fairly compensated for the development value of their land by receiving monies from the special district's property tax revenues, GOCO funds (the lottery fund), and the Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program.

 

Artie especially enjoys being involved with the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture (CFA). A non-profit organization committed to telling the story of agriculture to school teachers and people all across our state. Artie has hosted school teachers at his farm as part of the CFA’s Summer Institute for school teachers and has spoken at the CFA’s Luncheon at the Colorado Science Teachers Convention.

 

Artie enjoys being the webmaster of the Colorado Young Farmer Web Site (www.coloradoyoungfarmer.com).

 

Artie will be competing in the new Ag Communications Contest at the 2007 NYFEA Institute in Tucson, AZ in December of 2007.

 

Artie will be happy to talk to you or your group about his platform.  Please use the contact information below.

 

Artie Elmquist

8724 I-25 Frontage Rd. E

Longmont, CO  80504

 

Home Phone: (303) 776-4449

                Fax: (928) 447-9233

 

aelmquist@juno.com