Celebrate Colorado agriculture
With National Ag Week coming up, I want to celebrate my neighbors who are part of the agricultural community.
As a member of the Colorado Agricultural Commission, I serve to represent our community and bring our issues to decision makers. My family’s farm is a Centennial farm along the Front Range. We grow brewing barley for Coors, silage corn, alfalfa hay and wheat. I was born and raised in northeast Colorado, involved in my family’s dry land farm, but for the past 40 years have been actively involved in our irrigation farming operation in the Mead area.
As a farmer, I’m very proud of the diversity of agriculture, especially in Colorado. Let me share a few notables: Colorado’s agriculture is incredibly diverse; products grown and raised in Colorado can fill an entire plate of food for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Colorado is ranked ninth in the nation for female farm producers. According to the Census of Agriculture, 36% of U.S. farmers are women and 56% of all farms have at least one female decision maker. Women farmers are most heavily engaged in day-to-day farm and ranch decisions, along with recordkeeping and financial management.
Another reason I’m proud to give back to my community by serving on the Colorado Agricultural Commission is the amazing goals the Colorado Department of Agriculture has established. Through the leadership of Commissioner Kate Greenberg, they are building economic and supply chain resilience, supporting the next generation of agriculturalists, advancing voluntary stewardship, and advancing animal health and welfare.
Farmers and ranchers are innovators committed to leaving a healthy world for future generations. How can you do your part? Visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture website and learn more at https://ag.colorado.gov/. When shopping, choose Colorado Proud products, shop local and dine farm to table. Connect with local farmers or ranchers through farmers markets, CSAs, roadside stands and local events.
Colleen Peppler, Platteville
