Join the CSU extension for a tour of area produce farms

Are you ready to see behind the curtain and understand more about area produce farms? On Aug. 28, join in a bus tour of produce farms in Boulder and Adams Counties ranging from two – 2000 acres, direct to consumer and wholesale, and hear what it takes to help them thrive.

CSU Extension, in partnership with Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, has queued

up a tour of four farms for a full Saturday of exploration. This tour is funded by grant dollars through a Specialty Crops Block Grant award from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Much of the content I present in this column describes produce farm business threats (workforce, water, weather, markets, etc.), and gives highlights, but it doesn’t afford the opportunity for a dialogue. This tour offers a deep dive into these issues with more details from tour hosts and farmers, plus the chance to ask questions, see and learn first-hand how scales of produce farms differ and how they each serve a niche in the local food system.

We anticipate that you will be able to compare and contrast farm characteristics, describe their business threats and sustainable agriculture needs, describe what you can do to support them, understand the effort required to bring produce to market, name the notable vegetable crops in the area and where you can purchase them.

Our first stop will be to Brown’s Farm near Longmont where we hear from Catherine Blackwell, a beginning farmer on three acres. Next we’ll visit with David Asbury from Full Circle Farm with 200 acres of vegetables north of Longmont. You likely know his retail store, Rocky Mountain Pumpkin Ranch on Highway 66. To give you even greater perspective, we’ll travel to Brighton, and visit with Joe Petrocco from Petrocco Farms, one of our largest vegetable farms in Colorado at roughly 2000 acres, with fields in Adams and Weld Counties. Finally, we’ll wrap up in Hygiene, west of Longmont, for a tour of Aspen Moon Farm with Erin Dreistadt, and see portions of their 50 acres of vegetable fields. All these farms have websites, so learn more online about who they are and what they do as you ponder registration.

All have overcome significant hurdles in markets and staffing in 2020 and wonder what workforce impacts will arise from potential outcomes of rule-making on the Ag Workers’ Bill of Rights signed into law on June 24, 2021 by Governor Polis. Topmost for many during the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment rule-making is the determination of overtime pay for agricultural workers. Agriculture in Colorado, like the ski industry, has long time exemptions from paying workers overtime due to the nature of the work. How many weekly maximum hours trigger overtime pay will shape how farmers approach tasks of growing and harvesting produce and how they staff their farms in this highly labor-intensive business.

In 2021, CSU published survey results that detailed Colorado agricultural employer characterizations of labor and employment. One survey question asked agricultural employers what they would do if recruitment and retention of the workforce did not improve. The top response from produce farmers was to invest in mechanization and automation followed by a reduction of vegetable acres. Third on the list was to increase or start using H-2A international farm workers. Fourth was ceasing production of labor-intensive agricultural products.

Workforce matters in every business, and it has become a topic of great business threat to produce farms.

Join us August 28 and learn more! Registration is $15 and includes snacks, water and lunch with beef, chicken and vegetarian choices (all with gluten free options). We require all participants to wear a Covid appropriate mask while on the tour bus.

For more details, visit the registration page or contact me at Adrian.Card@colostate.edu or 303-678-6383

Register at: https://noco-keep-it-fresh.eventbrite.com