Field-to-Table Technical Outreach Package for Smaller-Scale Farmers - Ranchers in the Front range

Field-to-Table Technical Outreach Package for Smaller-Scale Farmers - Ranchers in the Front range

Summary

To facilitate the execution of this project, NewFarms helped create the Value Added Crops Association. It is comprised of the project participants and other smaller-scale producers along the lower front range counties of New Mexico and Colorado. At the end of this period, the Value Added Crops Association was incorporated as the Tres Rios Agricultural Cooperative with the assistance of NewFarms. By meeting with co-op members at their meetings as well as at their farms and ranches, we have been able to set up systems for this project.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Year one of this project was funded by NewFarms. We set the objectives as follows: 1) Recruit participants from the Value Added Crops Association; 2) Formalize the Association into a Cooperative; and 3) Establish the parameters and means to carry out the SARE funded portion of the project (years two and three).

Accomplishments/Milestones

NewFarms acquired participants, helped the Value Added Crops Association incorporate as the Tres Rios Agricultural Cooperative, and created the parameters and procedures for carrying out the SARE funded portion of the project. Specifically, we identified the content areas of the manual and technical assistance package, and established preliminary outlets for the dissemination of the deliverables.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The establishment of the Tres Rios Agricultural Cooperative and the development of a program of assistance including manuals, technical assistance, and workshops led to a request by the community of San Luis and Costilla County Colorado to assist them with the formation of an agricultural cooperative in their area. The deliverables from this project will be extended to this group and other cooperatives and associations in the region.

Collaborators: