Previous Meeting Minutes:

April 27th, 2021

Two Roots Farm + Marigold Livestock

Thank you to Ben Armstrong for leading our meeting this past Tuesday, thank you to Jared Kerst for providing us all with Dos Gringos burritos (!!!), and thank you to Harper Kaufman for providing beverages.  Additionally, thanks to everyone for the great turn out!

Meeting Minutes:

• Dandelion Day

Vendor spots for the upcoming 2021 Dandelion Day on Saturday, May 8th have all been filled!

For questions regarding Dandelion Day, reach out to dandelionday81623@gmail.com

RFFR will have an informational table at the event!

The goal of this outreach is to let our community know we are here as a group, and to engage in conversation on what our community would like to see from us as a group to better inform our future efforts.

We are looking for people to staff our table - please contact Ben Armstrong at ben.armstrong3@gmail.com with your availability so that we can schedule time slots.

• Website and Logo

Big thanks to Meredith Rose for designing a logo for us and progressing our website development.

A sign up sheet was distributed at the meeting for anyone interested in being featured on the Roaring Fork Farmers and Ranchers website directory.  Meredith will be in touch with those individuals to inquire about bios, photos, and marketing details.  Any other producers who are interested in being included are encouraged to reach out to her at rosewestag@gmail.com 

If anyone additionally would like to inquire about marketing and design information, check out the website for Rose West Ag Marketing & Services at http://www.rosewestag.com 

• RFFR Cross Marketing with Local Restaurants

We’re interested in developing marketing tools - likely stickers or decals - to distribute to restaurants who support our local farms, stating “We Buy from Roaring Fork Farmers and Ranchers”

Please contact Jen Ghigiarelli at ghigiarj@gmail.com if you have feedback on how qualifying parameters should be set 

Current suggestions are that each farm could receive 3-5 stickers to distribute to the loyal restaurant customers of their choice, or we could develop a more quantified system if there is concern that the message may be diluted by restaurants who are inconsistent in their purchasing

Navigating restaurants who purchase through Farm Runners will be considered in the process.

 The Chamber of Commerce was suggested as a potential collaborator for their previously stated interests in agritourism development

• Farmer Calendar

Ben Armstrong is excited to announce that he is officially organizing a Farmer Calendar as a fundraising piece for Roaring Fork Farmers and Ranchers.  Contact Ben at ben.armstrong3@gmail.com if you have interest in being featured, and request your preferred month now!

• UpRoot Updates

In addition to their usual work, UpRoot has been convening with other programs across Pitkin and Garfield Counties such as WIC and senior focused programs to expand and develop their outreach.  Input from our local farmers will likely be sought later in the year to better inform purchasing decisions.  For more information on UpRoot, visit their website at https://www.uprootcolorado.org/ 

• Racial Equity Discussion Group

National Young Farmers Coalition helps to fund and facilitate racial equity work through monthly meetings with readings and discussion topics.

In addition to a more regular discussion group cohort, we are also interested in hosting a specific day in the summer to come together and explore these issues with the help of a facilitator recommended by NYFC.

Contact Ben Armstrong at ben.armstrong3@gmail.com if you have input and/or interest in being involved.

• CRMPI Letters of Support

Jerome Osentowski from Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute is requesting letters of support submitted to Eagle County Planning by May 10th in regards to the permitting of his site for workshops.  Contact Jerome at jerome@crmpi.org for questions or letter submittals.

• RMFU Updates

State Bills of Note

SB21-087, Ag Workers Bill of Rights – Awaiting the next committee hearing. Senator Moreno has joined as a Prime Sponsor.  Amendments will be brought from the Senate Floor during its final reading soon.  We are feeling confident that amendments are coming forward that will help us to move to a neutral position.

HB 1181: Agricultural Soil Health Program (laid over*) – Concerning the creation of a voluntary soil health program, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

HB 1241: Ag and Climate Resilient Office (laid over*)– Concerning the creation of an agricultural drought and climate resilience office in the department of agriculture.

Stimulus: The Department of Agriculture secured $50 Million in Stimulus funding, which now needs to confirm by the legislature.

SB 248: Stimulus Funding Farm-to-market infrastructure loans to eligible applicants; and Low-interest loans to eligible farmers or ranchers and eligible businesses in Colorado.

SB 235 Stimulus Funding Department Of Agriculture Efficiency Programs (laid over*) – 3 million to energy efficiency and 2 million to Soil Health

SB 234 Stimulus Funding Ag and Drought Resiliency Fund (laid over*) – Concerning creation of the $3 million agriculture and drought resiliency fund.

* Laid over means that these bills have been heard in committee but were “laid over” to be picked up again.  This happened because senators wanted to examine how SB 234 and 235 and HB 1241 and HB1181 overlapped and worked together.  We’re hopeful that they’ll return to the bills and they will all move forward.

Federal Bills of Note!

Farm Workforce Modernize Act

·        Pathway to citizenship

·        Reform H2a

·        Mandatory E-verify

Ag Climate Resilience Act – Would create funding for state soil health programs.

Growing Climate Solutions – Would create a federal framework for ag. carbon markets.

We also have a bi-weekly legislative call.  If folks aren’t receiving the invitations, please reach out to Harrison at harrison.topp@rmfu.org and he’ll get you the info!  Also, if anyone has a question about a bill not on this synopsis, please let him know.

• NYFC Updates

• Young Farmers is hiring for a Land Campaign Organizer! We are looking for someone to bring grassroots organizing expertise to our land campaign team (full or part time, remote) to mobilize young farmers and ranchers across the country to advocate for justice-centered land policy change. More details can be found on our website, and applications are due by May 12th. 

• NYFC is collecting comments for the USDA on how they should be responding to climate change, through this request for comments. This is an opportunity to tell USDA how to be an important actor for a sustainable and resilient farm future. The central question is “What new strategies should USDA explore to encourage voluntary adoption of climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices?“ Submit comments here - comments due this Thursday, April 29th!

• Just a few updates on Young Farmers’ work in the state legislative session. If you’d like more details or to learn about other bills we’re watching, we’ve created a 2021 legislative updates doc that will be updated weekly. Here’s also our 2021 Colorado Policy Priorities document, if you’re interested.

  • Agricultural Soil Health Program

    • This bill has made it through the House, and will be heard in the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources committee this Thursday, April 29th. 

  • Agricultural Drought & Climate Resilience Office

    • This bill has also passed through the House and will be heard by the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, though the date hasn’t been set yet.

  • Agricultural Workers’ Rights Bill

    • This bill passed through the Business, Labor, & Technology committee and will be heard by the Senate Appropriations committee this Friday, April, 30th. From there, it will head to the Senate floor.

• Lastly, if you’re interested in getting more involved with state level policy, our Colorado Policy Committee will be having our quarterly meeting soon, in the second week of May. Any NYFC member is welcome to attend. Connect with Megan (megan@youngfarmers.org) to learn more and get involved.