who we are
AN INSPIRATION IN THE FIELD
EMILY DOWDY Words by Lexi Reich | Photo by Barton Glasser
beginning farmers that a career in agriculture can materialize in many ways.” The Orchard Mesa Research Station is one of three stations that comprises the Western Colorado Research Center. It specializes in fruit trees, wine grapes and vegetables; the researchers conduct various studies, such as vegetable variety trials, peach bud cold hardiness, peach fruit quality and vineyard production under solar panels. The station in Fruita focuses its research on irrigation and water conservation,
E
and the station in Hotchkiss focuses on organic mily Dowdy recently celebrated her 10th year
horticulture.
at the Orchard Mesa Research Station where
“My
day-to-day
responsibilities
vary
she has worked tirelessly to advance agricultural
depending on the season,” Dowdy says. “During
research in the Grand Valley. You can find her
the growing season, I spend a lot of time
in the field daily where she manages all aspects
on ladders thinning fruit or on the tractors
of the 80-acre facility and implements research
managing cover crops and controlling weeds and
protocols in the orchards, vineyards and fields.
pests. Late summer and early fall are dedicated
As her colleagues say, “She does it all!”
to harvest. The team is busy harvesting the fruit
Dowdy studied horticulture at Colorado State
for data collection, and what food is not used for
University, and when she interned at a small-
data is donated to local hunger relief programs
scale, organic orchard and vineyard in Hotchkiss
throughout the state.”
her senior year, she knew she wanted to build a
Dowdy admits there are several barriers
sustainable career in the field. After graduating
of entry when it comes to agriculture. She says
in 2009, she spent three years at Ela Family
the cost and availability of land are two factors
Farms and experienced the year-round rigors of
that young, first-generation agriculturists face,
working in a 100-acre commercial orchard.
in addition to general financial risk. Beginning
As a first-generation agriculturist, purchasing her own land as a next step was daunting, to put
farmers — especially women — can also feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the equipment.
it simply. When Dowdy came across the research
“There are many strong women who have
associate position at Orchard Mesa Research
inspired me to be more confident in the field,
Station, its mission to deliver research that is
and I strive to be a model for other young
relevant to the challenges the Grand Valley
women,” she says. “Throughout my years as
agricultural community faces enticed her.
a research associate, I have had the ability to
“Working at the research station has taught me
train and mentor young interns and students
that there are many options in farming other than
and provide them with an environment where
owning my own operation or managing someone
they can learn how to be comfortable using
else’s land,” Dowdy explains. “I am especially proud
heavy equipment.” :
that I can use my position to demonstrate to other
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