Project Overview
6/5/2020: Changed end date per approved NCE request. - JvS
10/02/2020: Changed end date per approved NCE request. - JvS
Commodities
- Agronomic: grass (misc. perennial), hay
- Vegetables: onions
- Animals: bovine, goats, poultry, sheep, swine
- Animal Products: meat
Practices
- Animal Production: grazing management, range improvement, rangeland/pasture management
- Crop Production: crop improvement and selection
- Education and Training: extension, farmer to farmer, focus group, on-farm/ranch research, study circle
- Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity
- Production Systems: agroecosystems
- Soil Management: soil quality/health
- Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems
Proposal abstract:
Colorado PDP goals during the next year (2019) are to: 1) assess the knowledge level and educational needs of professionals associated with sustainable agriculture, 2) provide sustainable agriculture in-depth training for agricultural educators and producers across the state through mini-grants and training, 3) provide support promoting and potentially hosting educational workshops, 4) and facilitate proposal development in response to grant opportunities. Specific topics that will be covered include, but are not limited to, food and cropping system diversification, energy efficiency, farmer networks, and range and livestock integrated resource management.
Project objectives from proposal:
Objective 1) Enhancement of the knowledge-base and skills of Colorado agricultural professionals interested in sustainable agricultural practices: In 2019, provide a competitive-mini grants program in sustainable agriculture. We expect to support six competitive mini-grants to conduct demonstrations projects, workshops, and/or farm tours. Provide five travel scholarships to regional and national conferences/workshops related to sustainable agriculture.
Objective 2) Increase clientele's understanding of sustainable agriculture practices through educational methods: A comprehensive review of the knowledge gaps existing among the Colorado’s sustainable community will help design approaches to develop and deliver information related to alternative management practices. This will be accomplished through workshops, training, and interaction with professionals and producers by, a sustainable conference focusing on the effects climate variability on range, livestock and crop production.
Objective 3) Promote awareness of WSARE grant opportunities: To increase the level of involvement of agricultural professional across Colorado we will distribute materials and promote activities related to sustainable agriculture through the CO-WSARE web page which will require extensive updating.