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One cow can produce up to 264 pounds of methane every year, and it's estimated that livestock production is responsible for 30% of global anthropogenic methane emissions. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

How livestock farming fuels climate change

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

So far, 34 farmers markets, food hubs and retail locations across the state offer Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus. (Adobe Stock)

Pilot program makes fresh Colorado produce accessible to more families

As Colorado's fall harvest kicks into high gear, people participating in SNAP, the program formerly known as food stamps, can now get up to $60 per …

Hasta ahora, 34 mercados de agricultores, centros de alimentos y establecimientos minoristas en todo el estado ofrecen Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus. (Adobe Stock)

Programa piloto hace que productos frescos sean accesibles a más familias en CO

A medida que la cosecha de otoño de Colorado se acelera, las personas que participan en SNAP, el programa anteriormente conocido como cupones de …

In Colorado, more than 195,000 people work in agriculture across 38,900 farms and ranches. The industry supplies $47 billion to the state's economy annually. (Adobe Stock)

Addressing mental health needs of Colorado farming communities

In the past year, the Colorado AgrAbility Project added four behavioral health specialists to help the state's agricultural producers, workers and …

Untreated factory farm waste runoff contains high levels of fecal pathogens such as E. coli, antibiotics and cleaning chemicals. (Adobe Stock)

Clean-water advocates head back to court over Colorado factory farms

Clean-water advocates are heading to state district court after Colorado regulators turned their back on a judge's decision last year calling for bett…

Most of the USDA produce samples tested in this year's Dirty Dozen list from the Environmental Working Group were within the legal allowance for chemical pesticide residue. (Adobe Stock)

Strawberries top Dirty Dozen list of produce packed with pesticides

Nonorganic fruits and vegetables are loaded with chemical pesticides, including fungicides which can harm male reproductive systems, according to the …

Eight in 10 Coloradans agreed forests, farms, grasslands and wetlands naturally capture carbon pollution, the primary driver of climate change. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado poll shows broad support for voluntary private land conservation

Colorado voters said they support previous efforts to conserve the state's wild landscapes and open spaces, according to a new survey, and they …

Around 11,900 acres of the historic Bohart Ranch east of Colorado Springs used by U.S. Air Force Academy cadets have been permanently protected. (Adobe Stock)

SOAR aims to conserve open space, military readiness

The skies above the historic 48,000 acre Bohart Ranch and a remote airfield on the property serve an important role for the United States Air Force Ac…

Farms are in a unique position to slow global warming by reducing methane emissions, which are more than 80 times more potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2. (Adobe Stock)

Removing barriers and making space for next generation farmers

As Congress drafts the next Farm Bill, the National Young Farmers Coalition is calling on lawmakers to tackle climate disruptions and racial equity …

For every $1 invested in conserving Colorado's prime wildlife habitat, lands along streams, lakes and rivers, and farmlands -- such as the Avant Vineyards in Palisade -- through tax credits, Coloradans receive up to $12 in economic benefits. (Colorado West Land Trust)

Colorado land trusts get $1 million in lottery proceeds for conservation

Great Outdoors Colorado, the lottery-funded program to preserve natural resources, has awarded a second $1 million grant to fuel conservation efforts …

So far, 283 projects in Colorado have been identified as priorities under the Inflation Reduction Act. (Adobe Stock)

IRA Funding Set to Boost Colorado's Clean Energy Economy

This month marks one year since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the nation's first significant investment in addressing climate change…

Colorado has been a leader nationally on protecting wildlife migration corridors, including vast tracts of grasslands key for wildlife connectivity. (Adobe Stock)

Impact of Lost Grasslands on Rural Economies and Carbon Sinks

More than 300 ranchers, tribal members, conservationists, researchers, federal and state agency officials gathered in Cheyenne last week to find ways …

Oil and gas leasing are currently allowed on 90% of publicly-owned lands managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. (Adobe Stock)

BLM Seeks Coloradans' Input on New Public-Lands Rule Aiming for Balance

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is holding a public hearing today in Denver on its new rule, which aims to put conservation, protection of …

In the spring of 2022, the May family ranch five miles east of Lamar faced a devastating wildfire that threatened livestock and wildlife on lands preserved through conservation easement with Colorado Cattlemen�s Agricultural Land Trust in 2015. (Dallas and Brenda May)

Sustainable Land Management Boosts Wildfire Restoration Efforts

A recent wildfire that swept across ten thousand acres of farm and ranchlands in southeastern Colorado suggests that sustainable land management and b…

Colorado's SNAP Outreach program helped bring $47 million in federal funding to Colorado's grocery stores, generating more than $71 million in overall economic activity.<br />(InputUX Adobe Stock)

SNAP Benefits Drop as Food Prices Soar

As the cost of groceries continues to soar, SNAP benefits boosted to help families during the pandemic are back to pre-COVID levels. Even with …

A new conservation easement overlooking the Animas River protects natural habitat for wildlife ranging from swift fox, bear and mountain lion to elk and deer. (Linda Lidov)

Conservation as a Tool for Strengthening Business

A few miles south of Durango on a parcel of Florida Mesa land overlooking the Animas River, a landowner is using an increasingly popular land …

In Colorado, outdoor recreation is considered to be a legally beneficial use of Colorado water. (Adobe Stock)

Revised Colorado Water Plan Prioritizes Conservation

A coalition of conservation groups is giving Colorado's revised state water plan a thumbs-up for its increased focus on protecting Colorado's rivers…

While the USDA recommends a diet of 50% fruits and vegetables, only 4% of farm subsidies support their production. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Farmers Headed to Washington in Advance of Farm Bill

Farmers and ranchers from Colorado and across the U.S. are headed to Washington, D.C., this week in hopes of transforming the 2023 Farm Bill…

The conservation group Keep it Colorado has awarded $197,000 in grants to protect 8,512 acres of lands, including 2,500 acres adjacent to Mesa Verde National Park, that would otherwise be at imminent risk of being sold, subdivided or converted to other uses. (Adobe Stock)

New Grants to Help Preserve Iconic Mesa Verde Viewshed

A new grant is expected to help close the deal to protect key parcels of historic ranchlands and wildlife habitat adjacent to Mesa Verde National Park…

Approximately 60% of land in Colorado is privately owned. (Adobe Stock)

New Tools Available to Navigate Conservation Easements

Some three million acres of Colorado lands have been protected through land trusts and their partners, and new online resources launched by the group …

Proposition FF includes grants school districts can use to purchase locally produced food, which proponents argued will help support local farmers and strengthen regional food systems. (Adobe Stock)

Proponents: Prop FF Key to Reducing Hunger in Colorado Springs

Proposition FF on Colorado's November ballot aims to ensure all students can access healthy, nutritious food at school, at no cost to families…

San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition is fostering an equitable local food system in part by providing bilingual farm business training and engaging the next generation of farmers. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Conservation Heroes Honored

Nine Colorado groups and individuals have been honored as "Conservation Heroes" for their outstanding contributions to land, water and wildlife …

More than 60,000 kids in Colorado can't afford school meals, but don't qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, and two out of every five Colorado families struggle to put food on the table for their children. (Adobe Stock)

Ending School Lunchline Shaming on Colorado’s November Ballot

In November, Colorado voters will have an opportunity to end a practice known as "lunch-line shaming," which drew national attention after a Colorado …

Conservationists propose 12 initial wolf-reintroduction areas, based on large suitable habitat blocks, connectivity, and the presence of elk, deer and other prey. Proposed locations include Rocky Mountain National Park and the Maroon Bells-Snowmass and Hermosa Creek wilderness areas. (Adobe Stock)

CO Conservationists Offer Alternative Plan for Wolf Reintroduction

A coalition of 14 conservation groups has unveiled an alternative proposal to help guide wolf reintroduction and recovery ahead of a Colorado Parks an…

The annual value of terrestrial ecosystem services globally, including watersheds that filter and clean drinking water, is estimated to be roughly equivalent to the annual global Gross Domestic Product. (Adobe Stock)

State Lawmakers Press Biden to Create National Biodiversity Strategy

More than 350 state lawmakers from across the U.S. are urging President Joe Biden to create a national strategy to protect, restore and secure the …

A new Colorado private-land conservation plan aims to align and integrate with other statewide plans that have climate action components that support water, wildlife, recreation and agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado Private Landowners Key to Climate Resiliency

More frequent and exponentially larger wildfires and prolonged drought already are impacting Colorado's agricultural lands and regional economies…

More than 150 organizations in almost every county in Colorado have participated in the Food Pantry Assistance Grant program, which has allowed nonprofits to invest thousands of dollars in food produced by farmers of color. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Colorado Food Pantry Grant Program Under Review by Lawmakers

Colorado lawmakers are considering a measure that would extend funding for emergency food assistance throughout the state. The Food Pantry …

Colorado students are learning science, reading, history and more as they participate in Farm to School programs. (Adobe Stock)

Farm to School Programs on Rebound After COVID Closures

DENVER -- Farm to School programs are beginning to bounce back after last year's COVID closures, and more than half the state's 178 school districts …

An average of 1.7 million WIC participants receive Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits each year. (Adobe Stock)

WIC Families Can Now Get Vouchers for Farmers Market Purchases

DENVER -- Participants in WIC, the federal nutrition assistance program for women, infants, and children, can now get vouchers to buy food at farmers …

The Colorado Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program distributes money to charitable pantries, who must spend the money purchasing food from local farmers and other producers. (Pixabay)

Anti-Hunger Advocates Call for Expanding Pantry Grant

LAFAYETTE, Colo. -- Anti-hunger advocates are calling on Colorado lawmakers to expand funding for the state's Food Pantry Assistance Grant. …

People experiencing food insecurity in Colorado increased from 9% before the pandemic to nearly 40% by December 2020. (Partnership for Healthier America)

Lessons During COVID Spotlight Path Toward Greater Food Equity

DENVER -- After the coronavirus pandemic shut down restaurants and emptied grocery shelves, food experts said lessons learned while rebuilding …

In 2020, 81% of older adult participants in the Nourish Colorado's Nutrition Incentive Program reported that food boxes increased their food security. (USDA)

Food Producers 'Go Local' to Feed CO Families in Pandemic

DENVER -- Colorado's food networks are finding new and creative ways to get fresh produce directly from farmers to people who need it during the coron…

Jack's Solar Garden in Boulder County offers tours to visiting farmers and local schools to help cultivate the next generation of agrivoltaic farmers. (NREL)

CO Family Farm Taps Solar to Boost Revenues, Food Production

LONGMONT, Colo. -- As the nation moves to ramp up clean-energy production, Jack's Solar Garden, a locally owned farm just south of Longmont, could …

Community health centers helped employers implement paid sick-leave policies after migrant workers became eligible under a state guidance. (USDA)

CO Health Centers Pivot to Reach Migrant Workers During Pandemic

FORT LUPTON, Colo. -- Colorado's community health centers have had to shift gears during the coronavirus pandemic to ensure migrant workers, who …

Colorado's historic apple orchards along the Dolores River gave way to hay, alfalfa and other crops that were more lucrative - and also more water intensive. (Pxhere)

Conservation Project to Bring Heirloom Apples Back to Western Slope

CORTEZ, Colo. -- A 36-acre property near Cortez in southwestern Colorado soon will be transformed into a sustainable community apple "orchard hub." …

The Sun Valley neighborhood's annual average household income is nearly seven times lower than that of the rest of the Denver metro area. (Galatas)

Urban Farm Sprouts Ethnic Produce

DENVER – The corn is high and the collards full and dark green at Sun Valley Grow Farm, but the star attraction at Friday's food stand are hot …

El ingreso anual promedio en Sun Valley es casi siete veces menor que el del resto del �rea metropolitana de Denver. (Galatas).

Cultivan Productos Étnicos en Granjas Urbanas

DENVER – El maíz está en su punto en la Granja Agrícola de Sun Valley, las coles están maduras y de un verde oscuro…

A new federal report says antibiotic use in farm animals decreased by about one-third from 2016 to 2017. (Pxhere)

Ag Industry Takes Steps to Tackle Antibiotics

DENVER — The major players in the meat industry have developed what they're calling a "stewardship plan" they say will ensure that they use anti…

Despite growing demand, only about 5 percent of milk sold in the United States comes from organic farms. (Pixabay)

Climate Impact of Meat and Dairy Bigger than Fossil Companies

DENVER – If the meat and dairy industries continue as usual, the Paris Climate Accord will be moot and a climate catastrophe inevitable…

Community gardens at Colorado health centers are filling a critical need in areas considered food deserts. (Pixabay)

Health Center Gardens Harvesting Health

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Children in Fort Collins on Thursday are bringing their harvest of fresh vegetables to a farmer's market at Salud Family …

Brian Weinberg of the Capital Institute (bottom right) joined others at a summit in Boulder to brainstorm ways to establish a regenerative world economy. (Brett McPherson)

Economic Summit in CO Could Change Everything

BOULDER, Colo. — A three-day summit has just wrapped up in Boulder with what could be new benchmarks for transforming the entire global economy…

Three proposed mega-mergers would create companies that would control nearly 70 percent of the world's pesticide market. (Pixabay)

Colorado Food, Farm Groups Urge Sessions to Block Mega Mergers

DENVER - Nearly 325 organizations have signed a letter pressing new U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to make sure the Justice Department does its …

More than 7 million acres of wildlife habitat have been lost due to the federal Renewable Fuel Standard for ethanol. (Pixabay)

Ethanol Program Fuels Unintended Consequences for Wildlife

DENVER – U.S. farmers have plowed under more than seven million acres of wildlife habitat, mostly to grow corn needed to produce ethanol …

Business leaders are convening today to address challenges facing the Colorado River system. (Pixabay)

Business Leaders Wade Into Colorado's Water Challenges

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – Business and community leaders are meeting on Thursday in Glenwood Springs to learn more about challenges facing the …

A new study documents the educational, health, nutritional and other benefits of urban agriculture. (Pixabay)

Study: Urban Agriculture Good for Students, Community Health

DENVER -- Back to school for some can mean planting one last crop of vegetables in school gardens before the first frost arrives - and boosting studen…

A new study of plants purchased at national retail outlets shows a drop in pesticides harmful to bees. (Pixabay)

Study: National Retail Outlets Give Bees Some Relief

DENVER — A campaign to protect declining bee populations is making progress. A new study conducted at garden centers across the U.S. found …

A new report calls for restricting the use of antibiotics in factory-farmed animals to curb the global spread of infections. (Pixabay)

Study: Reducing Farm Antibiotic Use Could Curb Spread of Infections

DENVER – A new report calls for banning or restricting the use of antibiotics in farm animals to curb the global spread of infections. …

Honeybee populations in the United States dropped by 44 percent last year. (Pieterz/Pixabay)

U.S. Honey Bee Populations Down by 44 Percent

DENVER - Honeybee populations in the U.S. dropped by 44 percent last year according to a new national survey. Tiffany Finck-Haynes, food futures …

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CO: Sustainable Agriculture and Farming