Colorado Ag Commissioner 1
What does Colorado Agriculture need right now and how can the Department of Agriculture help agriculture meet those needs?
Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg tells Colorado Ag Today the needs are big and broad with pressures from tariff disputes, uncertain weather and water resources, low commodity prices and who will take up the job of farming in the future.
To the last point, Greenberg says the agency has several programs that help locate and secure next generation ag professionals.
"We're ramping up outreach to new communities, making sure folks know that they can come to the department and we provide services that anybody in agriculture regardless of you background can access our programs. And hopefully we can help you get started or continue a thriving family farm or ranch. Providing support for families to get started down the path of succession planning which is complex, it takes time it can cost a lot of money. And a role that we see ourselves at the department playing is helping with some of those costs, helping through our ag mediation program supporting farm and ranch families in really deciding for themselves what they want for their future."
Greenberg says other priorities for her department include: helping market high value and diverse products like hemp and organics, supporting farmer-led stewardship and working to secure mental health services for rural communities.
Colorado Ag Today will have more on those issues with Commissioner Greenberg in future reports.
The department has a dashboard set up at the website to allow the public to monitor goals on a month by month basis
