The Conservation Reserve Program is a voluntary land conservation program established in 1985. Its long term goal is to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife habitat through the removal of environmentally sensitive lands from agricultural production. The contracts through the Farm Service Administration (FSA) provide yearly rental payments to farmers who enroll in the program. These contracts are ten to fifteen years in length and insure improvements in environmental health and quality through the conversion of agricultural land back to natural or semi-natural vegetative cover.
All states in the Intermountain West assess farms and ranches at their agricultural use value. Some states extend some form of preferential use value assessment to land managed for its value for wildlife, natural resource conservation, outdoor recreation, and open space -not just for commodity production. Property tax laws and assessment practices in other states create obstacles for landowners who want to manage their private land for natural resource conservation or diversified, land-based revenues.
The Conservation Stewardship Program functions by encouraging stewardship on agricultural lands, cropland, grassland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial private forest land by providing financial assistance to producers who meet program requirements.
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (AECP) is to provide easements for the long-term restoration and protection of environmentally sensitive lands from being developed or converted to non-agricultural uses. The program focuses on conserving agricultural land as well as wet-lands and their related benefits. These two functions are evaluated separately, maintaining some of the distinction implied by having separate programs.
Colorado Department of Agriculture identified the need to better understand how: a) the citizens of Colorado viewed the agricultural industry as a whole; b) the public perceives emerging policies meant to support or influence the role of agriculture in Colorado; and c) and how the Department's own programs were valued.
Food security is a complex issue: limited resource households, distance to food markets and other barriers to securing adequate, safe and nutritious foods all combine to create a food landscape that may not be conducive to good health in our communities. Recent data from the Northern Colorado region suggest there is increasing need for food assistance from government, community and school programs. Data on food assistance, food stamps outlays, and reduced/free school lunch eligibility are consistent in illustrating increased need for programs to mitigate food insecurity during this economic downturn. Community gardens and efforts to "map" food assets are explored as new approaches to improve access to raw foods and appropriate food market outlets for those who might otherwise have their dietary choices constrained by what is readily available.
Focused on Agricultural Act of 2014 Title II: Conservation, which provides funding for thirteen conservation programs. The Conservations Title's purpose is to ensure the provision of clean water, abundant and safe food, the protection of wildlife from excessive disruption, and a conservation of the agricultural way of life.
If Colorado ranchers and farmers face an increased probability of extreme and recurring droughts, it is then important to determine the effect that drought has on the resiliency of farmers and ranchers, and the likelihood that continued assistance will be needed.
Colorado attitudes about food and agriculture includes a few key points: 1) There is broad-based agreement that agriculture is an important part of Colorado's economy, and its quality of life and serves the state well in providing safe food at a reasonable cost. 2) There are some minor differences in the strength of support and confidence between those who live or were raised on a farm and those without such background. 3) Agricultural production practices are generally believed to be usually necessary to feed the population and safe; however, this is one area where there is some level of disagreement among our citizens, particularly related to GMOs. 4) There appears to be a role for Colorado Department of Agriculture programs, information relayed through labels, produce calendars and contacts at food retail sites, and agritourism, so perhaps those educational options can be better coordinated in the future.
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program is new for 2014. RCPP serves to integrate regional and watershed level management of natural resources and conservation activities and to facilitate cooperation between state or local government, producer associations, and producers. Projects that the program focuses on include water quality and quantity, soil erosion, wild-life habitat, drought mitigation, flood control, and other regional priorities
If Colorado ranchers and farmers face an increased probability of extreme and recurring droughts, it is then important to determine the effect that drought has on the resiliency of farmers and ranchers, and the likelihood that continued assistance will be needed.
The period from September 9-16, 2013 saw unprecedented rainfall in many parts of Colorado, and 17 counties were significantly impacted by heavy rain and flooding. Based on on-site surveys of these areas, there were a number of acres inundated with flood waters. The water remained at a high level for 2-4 days in some areas. The flooded areas, estimated at 23,000 acres. The estimated value of the lost production is somewhere between $3.4 and $5.5 million. The flood resulted in many other losses for the farmers and ranchers.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is designed to help agricultural producers and non-industrial forestland owners meet environmental standards set by the Federal, State, Tribal and local governments by providing financial and technical assistance on select projects. Financial assistance is available for conservation practices that address natural resource issues including the improvement of soil, water, plant, animal, or air resources.
Colorado has had the lowest adult obesity rate in the U.S., but is worsening from its status a decade ago. Because of the perceived link between food access, behavior and consumption, exploring connections between the food system and health/nutrition is warranted. The region has shown only slight improvement in two indicators of improved health behaviors -consuming enough fruits and vegetables and adequate physical activity- and all improvements made were in Weld County. Given some limited improvement in health outcomes, and evidence that targeted community programming was effective in Weld county, there may be reason to consider food system issues in future public health discussions.
