By REP. MEGHAN LUKENS
Whether you are a fan of prize pigs, storytelling quilts, or junior livestock auctions, there is something for everyone at the Northwest Colorado County Fairs. Like the agricultural heritage that our region celebrates, county fairs are central to our modern experience in this part of the state.
At the heart of this very tradition are the 4H and FFA youth who spend all year preparing to showcase their talents and hard work. They are proud of the things that they have accomplished, and they should be. They have consistently woken up early to feed their animals, worked throughout the summer to fulfill their commitments, and stayed up late to finish a craftsmanship project. So, let’s continue to celebrate and congratulate our 4H and FFA youth as this county fair season comes to a close.
Personally, I had the pleasure of attending many of these county fairs, as I do each year. To see the hard work that goes into raising an animal or honing in on a complex skill is truly admirable. These youth participants are not only current members of the agricultural community, they are the future. Like recent Soroco High School graduate Kayla Rossi from Yampa, who is in the running to be a 2023 National FFA Officer. The national board will be chosen at the 96th National FFA Convention in Indiana in early November. Good luck, Kayla, and thank you for representing our communities so well!
The future of agriculture is set to be a transformative blend of cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices. As adults, this generation will have to deal with the impacts of watershed depletion, population increases, and fluctuating economic pressures. However, they can use higher-level technology to aid in the creation and use of more sustainable farming and ranching tactics. Already, there is evidence that even with future challenges, this generation will enhance food security and utilize forward-thinking, sustainable farming practices that both support and enrich our environment.
As your representative, I am committed to advocating for policies that uphold and empower our agricultural sector and future generations. I’m here to listen to your concerns and ideas, and to work tirelessly to ensure that our farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to flourish now and later.
During this last legislative session, I worked in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation that would benefit our agricultural communities, especially those here at home. In the spirit of supporting future agriculturalists, I carried HB23-1094. This law expands a program that has already shown great success, which provides financial incentives to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses to hire interns, creating opportunities for the next generation of farmers.
The legislation that I sponsored to aid our local community through the introduction of wolves was another effort to directly support the future of agriculture. SB23-256, although vetoed by the governor, would have ensured that prior to the reintroduction of wolves, a 10J Rule had been established. I advocated for agriculturalists to have more flexibility to utilize lethal action if their livestock or working animals were in immediate danger. SB23-255, upon passage, created a dedicated “wolf compensation fund” within the Colorado Department of Natural Resources to be reserved for compensating livestock and working animal owners who suffer the loss or injury of their animals from wolf attacks.
I also supported key bills from the past session that will have direct and positive impacts on the agricultural community in Colorado as a whole. For example, HB23-1011 empowers farmers and independent repair shops to access the tools and software they need to repair their own equipment. This first in the nation law, facilitates the process of fixing agricultural equipment and saves money for those doing repairs. Similarly, SB23-050 expands opportunities for agricultural workers to apply for financial loans. This will allow farmers and ranchers to expand their own businesses with the necessary financial support.
Once again, congratulations to our ranching and farming youth, and their families, who have worked so hard to make these county fairs another successful celebration of hard work and talent. We are proud of our heritage and proud of you for continuing the hard work of being an agriculturalist. While the county fair month is ending, your diligent efforts in preparation for next year are just beginning; know that I am here to support you along the way.
I would love to hear from you about agriculture – or any other issue that matters to you. Please contact me at [email protected] with comments, questions, and concerns. Also, send me an email if you would like to be added to my newsletter for more frequent legislative updates. Follow me on social media to be the first to know when I will be hosting town halls to answer your questions in person.
Let’s keep in touch and keep making a difference in House District 26. Onward!