Lieutenant Governor Diane Primavera reads the Ag Day Manifesto during a ceremony at the Capitol. The event was live streamed.
Surrounded by FFA students and representatives from Colorado’s farming community, Lieutenant Gov. Diane Primavera issued a proclamation on Wednesday establishing Colorado’s Farmers’ Day.
Meanwhile, Gov. Jared Polis had signed Senate Bill 23-050 titled Eligibility for the Agriculture Future Loan Program. This measure changes the definitions of “eligible business” and “eligible farmer or rancher” under Colorado’s Agricultural Futures Loan Program to specify that:
Eligible businesses include entities that are currently operating and entities that will be operating.
Eligible businesses and eligible uses for the loan include businesses that perform agricultural processing or develop or manufacture technology designed to benefit farmers and ranchers.and
Eligible farmers and ranchers include farmers and ranchers who currently own or operate a farm or ranch, or who will own or operate a farm or ranch in the future. The bill was sponsored in the House by Rep. Richard Holtoff, who represents northeastern Colorado, and Karen McCormick, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
Primavera and Colorado Agriculture Commissioner Kate Greenberg referred to SB 23-050 in remarks during the declaration’s presentation.
The lieutenant governor reminded a small crowd of her own Colorado roots growing up on a farm near Joes, Colorado in southern Yuma County. She acknowledged the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy. rice field.
“Everyone here knows that agriculture is a vital economic industry in our state, with nearly 40,000 farms and ranches, nearly 200,000 people employed, and a $50 billion economic output. “But it’s also a way of life for many of our neighbors, and it’s part of who we are as Colorados. Our state’s early days were intricately linked to agriculture, It is Colorado’s agriculture that puts food on our plates. That’s why it’s important to our administration that we continue to work to help Colorado’s farmers and ranchers succeed.
Commissioner Greenberg spoke about the challenges facing growers and how the Colorado Department of Agriculture needs information from growers to find solutions.
“We have been proactive and committed to programs and policies to prepare for a drier and more difficult future,” she said. “For agriculture to continue to thrive in Colorado, it’s important to look ahead now. Colorado’s farming community includes problem solvers, innovators, and activists who are witnessing the impact of a changing world every day. We have a lot of great thinkers.”
The declaration, signed by Gov. Jared Polis, recognizes that agriculture generates $47 billion in economic activity annually, feeds the world and contributes to national security.
“(A) Agriculture plays a prominent role in the daily life of every Coloradan and will continue to be important to the future progress and prosperity of the state’s economy,” read one section.
The full text of the declaration can be found at the link below.
colorado agriculture day
