Western CO Soil Health, Food and Farm Forum: Full Schedule

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10:15am MST

Grazing with a Purpose

Friday January 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MST

Philip will discuss using cattle to build soil health on your farm or ranch through regenerative grazing practices, while also making your cows healthier and more profitable to boot. Learn about grazing methods, ways to feed hay for soil health, and natural options to substitute for expensive protein tubs and wormers.

Speakers

Philip Frank

Farmer, Lifetime Ag

Philip Frank was born and raised in Colorado and had a fascination with agriculture from a very young age. Over time his fascination developed into a passion for all aspects of crop and livestock agriculture. He graduated from Colorado Mesa University with an associate’s degree... Read More →

Friday January 24, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am MST
Multipurpose Room

Breakout Session

11:30am MST

Regional Richness: Comparing Unique Traits in Vegetable Varieties

Friday January 24, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm MST

Multipurpose Room

This session will review the results of the Regional Seed Vegetable Variety Trials from the Western Colorado Research Center - Rogers Mesa. The findings illuminate interesting, adaptive, and advantageous aspects of vegetable varieties bred in the Intermountain West.

Speakers

Brad Tonnessen

Research Scientist, Western Colorado Research Center - Rogers Mesa

Brad Tonnessen is the Research Scientist at the CSU Western Colorado Research Center - Rogers Mesa (WCRC-RM). He grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico and earned a PhD at Colorado State University in genetics and plant pathology. He spent time as an organic farmer before becoming an... Read More →

Friday January 24, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm MST
Multipurpose Room

Breakout Session

2:45pm MST

Farmland Leasing Basics

Friday January 24, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MST

Multipurpose Room

Do you understand the basic legal issues behind leasing land and its relationship to state law? Jen will share how to navigate a strong lease that will protect your operation, whether you are the landlord or the tenant.

Speakers

Jen Ghigiarelli

Membership Coordinator, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union

Jen is a regenerative livestock farmer and agriculture advocate who lives in Silt, CO. Jen supports farmers and ranchers across Western Colorado and New Mexico as Membership Coordinator for Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU). She has taken on the additional role of Ag Labor Specialist... Read More →

Friday January 24, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MST
Multipurpose Room

Breakout Session

4:00pm MST

Update: The Land Institute and Alternative Forages

Friday January 24, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm MST

Multipurpose Room

This session is a grand overview of the Land Institute and an update on the Alternative Forages project in the Colorado River Basin from last year.

Speakers

Hunter Doyle

Intermountain West Agronomy Specialist, The Land Institute

Hunter is an agronomist with a focus on forage crops. A graduate of Colorado State University, Hunter completed his master's degree in soil and crop sciences while conducting research at the CSU Grand Valley Research Station located in Fruita focusing on forages. Hunter has an unparalleled... Read More →

Friday January 24, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm MST
Multipurpose Room

Breakout Session