Rocky Mountain Farmers Union

Hey, women in agriculture! There is still time for you to secure YOUR spot to join us in San Antonio, TX, for the NFU Women's Conference, "Cultivating a Collective Future.” We are so excited about this conference that we offer FOUR scholarships to cover convention registration and lodging! Find more information and apply at rmfu.org/womens-education The application deadline is next Thursday (Oct. 10), so act fast!

We invite you to join us for our 2024 Annual RMFU Convention in Colorado Springs, November 21-23! This is a great opportunity to join fellow RMFU members and other producers, share your voice, and shape the future of RMFU. Learn more and register today at/https://lnkd.in/gpQnCui5

The Colorado Department of Agriculture seeks a driven individual to fill the farmer/rancher seat on the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission, also known as the Safety Commission. This group advises on best practices and future policies regarding work around subsurface utilities such as water pipes, sewer pipes, electrical conduits, gas pipes, and fiber conduits. Applications are due this Saturday, August 31! Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/g4Z-U-T9

SAVE THE DATE for the 2024 Annual RMFU Convention, November 22-23, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Colorado Springs. More information is coming soon!

Thank you to all who joined us for a day of learning and fun at Tuff’s Ranch. Over 29 kids enjoyed a jam-packed day with farm animals, cooperative games, planting succulents, and making new friends! The day was made possible by our East Adams/Arapahoe County Farmers Union Chapter, which provided the location and lunch. Thanks to grill master Michelle Skaggs and our RMFU Board Member Barb Marty for helping with all the details throughout the day.

The NoCo Farm Hop will take place on August 17th from 8:30 to 3:30pm! It will be a full day of touring farms across Northern Colorado; starting at the Larimer County Extension office, we will load the bus to tour Poudre Valley Community Farm's Flores Del Sol property, Folks Farm, Adam's Apple Orchard, Fagerberg onion farm, and end up back at the Extension office. On the bus, between stops, we will have fun food/soil/Northern Colorado trivia with prizes! Meet other local food enthusiasts and learn about the diversity of fruit/vegetable agriculture in Northern Colorado! Register at https://bit.ly/3WeVl0o Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association Colorado State University Office of Engagement and Extension (CSU OEE) Larimer County

We were thrilled to hear US Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter and US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack highlight how concentration in our markets is strangling rural communities. Anti-competitive actions drive small, family-owned businesses out of business, prevent new small businesses from gaining market share, and drive down the price that producers receive for their products. We see the results of these actions in the empty buildings on the main streets in our rural communities that once held successful family-owned businesses. Please read our complete response here: https://bit.ly/3L7Fp9O

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union is hiring an Associate Director of Government Relations.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this past Monday that the USDA is making new clean energy investments in Colorado through the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program as part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda. The RMFU team was honored to attend the announcement in Fort Collins, where Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association has been selected to receive a $9 million partially forgivable loan to build two community solar and battery energy storage projects that will benefit the people of Weld County. Read the full USDA press release here: https://bit.ly/3Xz6jir

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack formally announced the Farm Labor Stabilization Pilot Program (FLSP) grant awards today at RMFU member Gwen Cameron’s farm in Palisade, CO. This round of grant awards for FLSP accounts to $50 million for 141 awardees including 12 in CO and NM. Read our full press release here: https://bit.ly/4coeFxJ National Farmers Union (USA) USDA