Displaying 74 of 74 results found.
Community Agriculture Alliance: About the CAA Micro Loan Program
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Community Agriculture Alliance has been working to promote and support local agriculture in the Yampa Valley since 1999. As the community continues to grow and change, and especially over the last year…
Published: April 13, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Conservation easements in Routt County: What they are and how they benefit you
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Northwest Colorado and Routt County in particular are home to thousands of acres of conserved land. The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust and our Yampa Valley Conservation Partnership are responsible for the…
Published: April 6, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Generations of ranchers honored through Colorado’s Centennial Farms program
Published: March 30, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Understanding forest health on private lands
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — With the three largest wildfires in state history on the record in 2020, forest health has jumped to the forefront of our natural resource concerns. But what makes a healthy forest?
Published: March 23, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Beef is what’s for dinner, lunch or breakfast
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Routt County Cattlewomen, previously Routt County Cowbells, has been educating, promoting and providing nutrition education, outreach and marketing about beef since its inception in 1940. Two of the ladies involved with cowbells…
Published: March 16, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: What is a ‘call on the river’?
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — While there still may be snow falling, it is always a good time to be thinking ahead to spring and summer water issues. Extreme soil moisture deficits and below average snowpack will…
Published: March 9, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Without agriculture, you’d be naked and hungry
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Yes, we are trying to get your attention with this headline and have some fun. Agriculture can easily be taken for granted. While our modern lives offer countless conveniences, where you can…
Published: March 2, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Preparing for drought
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Although it is only February and the snow is still falling outside, drought is already weighing heavy on everyone’s mind. Agricultural producers have undoubtedly started planning for the potential of yet another…
Published: February 23, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Talking drought for 2021
Is it too early to start talking about the drought of 2021? No.
Published: February 16, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Drought resiliency and soil health
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Out of crisis often comes opportunity. Just as the 1930s Dust Bowl stimulated the creation and evolution of soil conservation, so may the recurrent drought being experienced strengthen efforts toward improving drought…
Published: February 9, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Improving forest resiliency
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — It is winter in Colorado, and people are still talking about wildfire. The 2020 fire season was long and intense. The state’s three largest wildfires, Cameron Peak, East Troublesome and Pine Gulch,…
Published: February 2, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Funding opportunity for range improvement projects
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Looking toward the coming growing season, there are many concerns facing agricultural producers, such as changes in administration, fluctuations of agricultural markets and drought.
Published: January 27, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Harmony with nature’s cycles
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Sitting on the porch, I watch the winter storms blow in, bringing much of what we need to live a good life. That winter snow will become the spring melt that will…
Published: January 26, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Going virtual isn’t really an option for today’s ag producers
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Virtual reality is a contradiction in terms, yet this best describes how we are living our lives. Zoom meetings and online business marketing, however, aren’t working as well in the nation’s food…
Published: January 19, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: A look back and look forward
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — We are often asked “How has agriculture been impacted by the past year?” Like most segments of the community, there is no one simple answer.
Published: January 12, 2021
Community Agriculture Alliance: Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust hires new team member
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust has helped to permanently protect more than 662,000 acres through conservation easements. Critical to that work is the long-term commitment of providing the support necessary for…
Published: December 29, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: The mighty Yampa, our valley’s livelihood
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Did you know that Colorado’s Water Plan calls for 80% of locally prioritized rivers to be covered by a stream management plan by 2030? Yes, that includes our Yampa River Basin.
Published: December 15, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Fencing with wildlife in mind
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Robert Frost wrote in “Mending Wall” that “good fences make good neighbors.” Whether those neighbors are our fellow landowners, livestock, wildlife and even passersby, there is no doubt that fencing is needed…
Published: December 8, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: What have we learned from 2020?
We’ve almost made it: in another few weeks, 2020 will be but a memory. While it won’t be one we’re sorry to see go, we know that how we learn from the challenges it threw…
Published: December 1, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Yampa River Fund marks 1st year
This first year of the Yampa River Fund has been a whirlwind and one of great anticipation of the things to come.
Published: November 24, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Colorado Water Rights Abandonment List
Every 10 years, the Colorado Division of Water Resources publishes its water right abandonment list. The list, released July 1, represents water rights that each division engineer is recommending for abandonment based on real or...
Published: November 10, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Seedstock operation in the cattle business
This article is about what it means to be a seedstock operation in the cattle business. Seedstock producers, also known as cattle breeders, are genetic suppliers that sell breeding bulls and heifers with specific genetic...
Published: October 20, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Connecting on a personal level
Usually, the fall months bring celebratory planning for the Community Agriculture Alliance, as this is when we normally have our annual Farm-to-Table dinner fundraiser at Harwigs. This year, we scaled back, brought in technology and...
Published: October 13, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Soroco FFA thriving
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted industry, business and our daily lives. Agriculture, however, has not stopped. Livestock still requires feed, plants must have water and fences must be mended. Soroco High School Future Farmers of...
Published: October 8, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Respect rural Routt County
Why did the cow cross the road? Oh, so many silly jokes to make, but living — or visiting — a rural community, it is a valid question. What should you do when cows are on the...
Published: October 1, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: The home ignition zone
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The smoke plume of the Middle Fork Fire has reminded us all that the work to continue reducing the fire risk in our community is never done. When thinking about what actions...
Published: September 22, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Micro loan benefits local ag producer
In December 2019, Community Agriculture Alliance launched a new micro loan program to help support local ag producers. The program was funded by an initial generous donor with a $10,000 investment contribution to establish the revolving...
Published: September 15, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: New normal?
Among all of the lessons we’ve learned in 2020, residents of the Yampa Valley are also being reminded of the importance of water in our communities. While things may have looked hopeful back in June, this...
Published: September 9, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Managing property for wildlife, agriculture
As landowners many of you know, your land is not only your way of life but also the home to wildlife that inhabit that land. Is there a way you can manage your property to maintain...
Published: September 1, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: History is written in the woods
Many Septembers ago, I walked an old U.S. Forest Service road with my mom. I was in sensory heaven. I took in the sounds of golden aspen leaves spiraling to the ground, the earthy smell...
Published: August 25, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: What is Reg 85?
In 2012, the state of Colorado passed Regulation 85, or Reg 85, which dealt with point source and nonpoint source water contaminants. Point sources, like wastewater treatment plants, were hit with strict measures for managing...
Published: August 18, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Water management planning in the Yampa Valley
Earlier this summer, a crew of engineers spread out along the Bear, Elk and Yampa rivers to document the condition of structures used to divert water for municipal and agricultural users. They interviewed the owners...
Published: August 11, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: A different Routt County Fair
HAYDEN — The Routt County Fair has been operating for 106 years and has only been canceled three times — in 1932, 1933 and 1934 — due to lack of funding during the Great Depression....
Published: August 4, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Inspiring resiliency in uncertain times
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — In 2007, I was a sophomore in high school reading Henry David Thoreau’s famous book, “Walden.” Nearly every sentence of the book tugged at something inside me, and when I got to Thoreau’s...
Published: July 28, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Good news in the neighborhood
The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust has kicked off a busy summer of conservation. Operating under its newly formed Yampa Valley Conservation Partnership Program, the land trust has successfully conserved two local Routt County ranches...
Published: July 21, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Buy local food, be a Yampavore
Buying local food is not only more important than ever, but it’s easier too. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a renewed interest in local food, a strange silver lining. With a disrupted global food system...
Published: July 15, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: 2020 Routt County Fair announces limited schedule
In June, the Routt County Fair announced that the 2020 Fair will be limited to 4-H/FFA shows and the Junior Livestock Sale due to COVID-19 impacts. This year’s schedule includes in-person 4-H/FFA livestock, small animal,...
Published: July 7, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: River planning
The key to river planning is collaboration, and the Yampa River Basin is doing just that. There are water users everywhere — agriculture diverting water to grow food and raise animals, municipalities securing drinking water...
Published: June 30, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Tree watering during drought conditions
Persistent drought conditions have parched the soil over most of Colorado, stressing even irrigated lawns and larger landscape trees. All of central and southern Colorado is currently experiencing some form of drought, in many places...
Published: June 23, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: It’s a great time to learn about local food options
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — We look across the Yampa Valley and see an abundance of cattle grazing in the scenic working landscapes. It can seem distant from our global food system. Normally we go to the grocery...
Published: June 9, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Minding your bees
Most of the time when people think about Colorado Parks and Wildlife, they think about the big critters — elk, deer, moose, bears, bighorn sheep, mountain lions and maybe fish. They don’t give a lot...
Published: June 2, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: A river connects us, brings us health
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The season is changing in the Yampa Valley, and it is changing quickly. It starts with the sound of the birds returning, then the increasing sound of water as the snow melts...
Published: May 26, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Spring has sprung
Trees budding, birds chirping and newborn calves running in pastures are sure signs that winter will, indeed, give way to the warmer days of spring and summer. For water managers, the onset of spring is...
Published: May 20, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: 5 stages of noxious weed management
It’s that time of year when plants are starting to grow and bloom. It is imperative that while we are enjoying the changing of seasons that we keep an eye out for plants that do...
Published: May 7, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: COVID considerations on the ranch
Spring is when our local ranchers are typically self-quarantined only because they are busy feeding, calving and fixing fence. This year, however, staying home and away from others is important to avoid exposing yourself and...
Published: April 28, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Social distancing — ranch style
I had to laugh when I saw “Wilson the border collie is struggling with the new work from home policy” on the internet. As I adapt to my job as a U.S. Forest Service rangeland...
Published: April 8, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Linking healthy habitats, productive working lands
Productive working lands reflect healthy wildlife habitats and go hand in hand with a sustainable agricultural operation. They benefit your bottom line and help ensure your working lands are productive into the future, enabling you...
Published: March 24, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Where would you be without Agriculture? Naked and Hungry
Editor’s note: Several events have been canceled, and we are hoping to reschedule for later this spring. Watch for more information and email updates. Yes, we are trying to get your attention with this headline. Agriculture...
Published: March 10, 2020
Community Agriculture Alliance: Stories of the Brown Ranch
The 2012 Ag Census says there are almost 800 farms and ranches in Routt County. Did you know that 10 of them have been owned by the same family for more than 100 years? These...
Published: March 4, 2020
Commissioners designate all next week as Agriculture Week in Routt County
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The Routt County Board of Commissioners will designate next week as Agriculture Week and March 24 as Agriculture Day in the county to celebrate one of the area’s economic pillars.
Published: March 15, 2021
Community Agricultural Alliance: 6 critical concepts all Coloradans should know about water
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Do you know the critical water concepts? The Colorado State Water Education plan has identified six critical concepts that all Coloradans should understand about water.
Published: January 5, 2021
Community Agricultural Alliance: Agricultural lands in the Yampa Valley are a benefit to all
A two-lane highway paralleled the scenic river as it snaked through the long Western Slope valley. Verdant farmlands and grazing livestock backed by wild and towering mountains, rock cliffs and sage-covered hillsides hugged the river…
Published: December 22, 2020
Friday live panel to discuss COVID-19 affects on local ranching, agriculture
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — How COVID-19 has affected local ranching and agriculture will be the topic of a live panel discussion Friday. The virtual discussion starts at 10:30 a.m., and panelists include Todd Hagenbuch, Routt County...
Published: May 7, 2020
Biking in Steamboat Springs
Like to bike? The sport of cycling is rolling stronger than ever in Steamboat. From hosting the first-ever SBT GRVL and Colorado Classic races to new mountain bike trails and a world-class bike path along...
Published: April 11, 2021
Leadership Steamboat class sets sights on helping local ag producers
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Each year, the Leadership Steamboat class takes on a project it hopes will make a meaningful community impact, and in 2021, that mission seems to be on target.
Published: March 31, 2021
‘Naked and hungry’: Events for local Ag Appreciation Week run through March 28
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — “Where would you be without agriculture? Naked and hungry.”
Published: March 23, 2021
Yampa Valley Sustainability Council hands out top awards in virtual format
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The annual Yampa Valley Sustainability Council awards felt a bit different for Michelle Stewart, the council’s executive director.
Published: February 10, 2021
BAR-U-EAT brand creates healthy, sustainable snack products in Steamboat
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The taste was born on the slopes, rivers and trails near Steamboat Springs, and entrepreneurs Sam Nelson and Jason Friday said it was their love for the area that helped them decide…
Published: January 7, 2021
Board of Realtors, Steamboat Resort and Snow Bowl team up to serve Christmas dinners
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — While COVID-19 has forced a significant change to the format of the Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors Community Christmas Dinner, they still plan to give out about 600 meals Friday.
Published: December 24, 2020
New grassroots effort aims to save Steamboat’s ski season
Lodging companies come together after recent virus surge to prevent local closures, tighter restrictions
Published: November 12, 2020
Indivisible, Part 5 | Fighting for the farm: Tracing Routt County’s rural-urban divide through skiing and ranching
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — When it comes to the rural-urban divide in Routt County, drawing an exact line is not so easy. Take the Fetcher family. Their ranch, which has been in the family since 1949,...
Published: October 20, 2020
Northwest Colorado Food Coalition: The summer for gardening
Community Cultivation, a program of Yampa Valley Autism Program, is a work-ready program using a platform of gardening and marketing as the teaching tool to give clients skills to be successful employees. During a pandemic, it...
Published: July 4, 2020
Celebrating Earth Day in Routt County
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Following backyard egg hunts and seders conducted by Zoom, Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, presents another opportunity to reimagine springtime traditions during COVID-19. Explore Steamboat talked with local leaders of sustainability...
Published: April 16, 2020
New CAA location provides better connections between consumers, producers
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Community Agriculture Alliance has moved to a new location and expanded the hours of its popular market, and Executive Director Michele Meyer said the organization’s mission to connect local agriculture producers with consumers...
Published: April 7, 2020
Local business owners look for opportunities, make changes in wake of COVID-19
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Routt County businessmen Jay Hirschfeld and John Weibel may not own restaurants, but they have felt the financial impacts brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak as many of their customers in the...
Published: April 4, 2020
Tales from the Tread: Celebrate Ag Appreciation Week
Next week is Agriculture Appreciation Week, and to celebrate, the Tread of Pioneers Museum partners annually with the Community Agriculture Alliance and Bud Werner Memorial Library to host events for all to learn more about...
Published: March 24, 2020
County commissioner announces reelection campaign with focus on climate change, energy transition
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Routt County Commissioner Doug Monger announced his reelection campaign on Monday. This marks the fifth time Monger has run for office but the first time he is running as an independent, following his departure...
Published: March 5, 2020
Get involved: Routt County volunteer opportunities
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The Steamboat Pilot & Today has partnered with Routt County United Way to offer a listing of volunteer opportunities across Routt County. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities and more information,...
Published: March 3, 2020
Letter: Promote our heritage
I wish I could say I am surprised by Gov. Jared Polis declaring March 20 as MeatOut Day in Colorado. However disgusted I am, I’m not surprised.
Published: March 15, 2021
Produce farm in Hayden expands production, moves to new space
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — There is a chill in the air, and snow covers the ground outside a farmhouse west of Hayden as Noah Price and Sydney Ellbogen talk about the operations of Mountain Bluebird Farm.
Published: January 18, 2021
Hayden reaches solution on mosquito management debate: Aerial spraying to resume Monday
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The town of Hayden has announced plans to resume aerial mosquito spray starting Monday evening. The news comes after intense debate over health and environmental concerns surrounding the practice. On June 10, the...
Published: June 28, 2020
40th annual Yampa River Fest paddles over to virtual format
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — When it became clear that the three-day party of 39 previous Yampa River Festivals wouldn’t be able to safely occur during spring 2020, its organizers jumped right into adapting the celebration into...
Published: May 28, 2020
Master Gardener: Victory garden
During World War II when food rationing hit the home front, millions of Americans took to the soil, converting yards, parks and public places to vegetable growing spaces. Some 20 million victory gardens produced almost half...
Published: May 27, 2020
Open for Business: Hayden Fresh Farm
During this time of COVID-19, what changes have you made to stay open, still do business and connect with customers? We have opened farm stands each weekend, joined a Community-Supported Agriculture offering and expanded our...
Published: May 1, 2020