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Workshops Focus on Energy Saving for Ag Producers The Colorado Rural Electric Association recently joined the Colorado Energy Office, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and other ag organizations in sponsoring a series of workshops across the state that will promote energy-saving opportunities for Colorado farmers and ranchers. Colorado farmers and ranchers spend more than $400 million annually on energy. So the goal of these workshops was to help producers find ways to utilize new energy technology to make their operations more energy efficient and to save money. “Looking at energy use on farms holds potential to reduce cost of production and improve margins for farmers and ranchers,” said Michael Turner, manager of energy efficiency programs at CEO. The series of six workshops were conducted in November and December in Lamar, Burlington, Sterling, Greeley, Montrose and Monte Vista. They featured presenters from Colorado State University, the state ag department and the CEO.
Electric Co-ops Celebrate New Guatemalan Co-ops Guatemala now has its first two electric co-ops. The organizations operated for several years as village energy associations, providing electric service to their communities on an informal basis with assistance from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International programs. November 30 both programs became legally registered electric cooperatives. NRECA President Mil Coleman led a delegation that participated with Guatemalan Vice President Jafeth Cabrera in the official ceremony conferring the new legal status on both the Hoja Blanquense and COOPEFFA co-ops. The co-ops have grown, extending their service to outlying communities. NRECA International provided technical assistance and facilitated several of these projects with financial assistance and crews from U.S. co-ops. 12
JANUARY 2017
In addition, Colorado state Climatologist Nolan Doeskin gave updates on climate and weather considerations, and former agriculture commissioners John Stulp and Dom Ament led workshop events. Workshop attendees learned about
agricultural energy use, ways to save on energy costs, the costs and opportunities that come with utilizing renewable energy, and funding options for investing in efficiency and renewable energy.
Gov’s Ag Forum Looks to Future Working together for a better future will be the focus of the February 22 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture. With the Colorado Rural Electric Association as one of its sponsors, the forum at the Renaissance Hotel in Denver will bring in knowledgeable speakers to discuss a future built by collaboration. Highlighting the day will be former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden, who will share her perspective on the need for alliances with food, nutrition and conservation groups, as well as other nontraditional partners. She currently serves as vice president of public policy and chief sustainability officer for DuPont. The forum will also feature addresses from Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Colorado State University President Tony Frank, Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Don Brown and others. Another keynote presentation will be delivered by Dr. Gregory Graff, an associate professor at Colorado State University, whose presentation will focus on “The Value of
Colorado Agriculture.” The day will bring together producers, consumers, experts and other ag stakeholders to peel back the polarizing rhetoric often found in today’s society. There will also be breakout sessions covering CSU consumer surveys, pollinator health, conservation, National Western Stock Show development, cooperatives, comparisons between global food production and local food, food safety, food labeling, food waste and succession planning. The forum is designed to challenge and equip attendees to seek novel alliances and ideas to benefit their own operations, and beyond. coloradocountrylife.coop