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

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

9:50am MST

The Spirit of Natural Farming

Saturday January 25, 2025 9:50am - 10:50am MST

Multipurpose Room

Explore the historical roots of natural farming practices and their critical importance in today's agricultural landscape. This session will delve into traditional farming techniques, the evolution of natural farming philosophies, and the relevance of these methods in addressing current agricultural issues.

Speakers

Miles Filippelli

Founder, Fermented Plant Extracts

Miles Filippelli is a multifaceted farmer, educator, product developer, artist, and visionary based on a small farm near Paonia. His Fermented Plant Extract product line is available nationwide through BuildaSoil and at various organic and regenerative gardening stores. Over the past... Read More →

Saturday January 25, 2025 9:50am - 10:50am MST
Multipurpose Room

Breakout Session

11:05am MST

Resources for Small Agriculture and Food Businesses

Saturday January 25, 2025 11:05am - 12:05pm MST

Multipurpose Room

In this session, you will learn about available resources for small agriculture and food businesses from Region 10/West Central Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and CSU Extension. Specifically, you will learn about the differences between grants and small business loans, what grants and loans are available, how to get free or low-cost technical assistance, and access to the Business Cultivator’s Commercial Kitchen in Olathe. You will hear from a Hispanic entrepreneur about how she was able to maximize her resources and get her business off the ground.

This session will be offered in Spanish with English interpretation available.

Moderators

Adriana Chavira

Program Manager/Hispanic Outreach, Region 10

Adriana Chavira is Program Manager and Hispanic Outreach through Region 10. Region 10 serves as the hub of the West Central SBDC office and provides assistance to new and existing businesses in Delta, Montrose, Hinsdale, Gunnison, Ouray, and San Miguel counties. She is based in... Read More →

Speakers

Laura Sanabria

Owner, Que Chimba LLC

Nicole Didero

Extension Regional Specialist, Colorado State University

Nicole Didero serves rural communities on the Western Slope. Her role is to help create strong regional food and agricultural networks by working across the food supply chain (from producers to consumers). Her expertise is in community food systems, specialty crop production, and... Read More →

Saturday January 25, 2025 11:05am - 12:05pm MST
Multipurpose Room

Breakout Session

1:05pm MST

The Power of the Code- the Tax Code!

Saturday January 25, 2025 1:05pm - 2:05pm MST

Multipurpose Room

Stay ahead with the latest tax updates for agricultural operations. Learn how to maximize deductions, plan major purchases, and leverage new opportunities for 2024-2025. This session offers practical tips to optimize your farm or ranch's financial health and compliance.

Speakers

Michael Johnson

CPA, Certified General Appraiser, Michael W Johnson, CPA, PLLC

Michael Johnson specializes in real estate taxation, small business taxation, farm and ranch operations. He is a certified public accountant (CPA), a real estate appraiser (Certified General Appraiser), and current investor in real estate and short-term rentals. He is a former farmer... Read More →

Saturday January 25, 2025 1:05pm - 2:05pm MST
Multipurpose Room

Breakout Session