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• Container gardening class offered

  April 3, 2012 3:01 PM

  The CSU Extension Office in Pueblo is offering a class on container gardening. It will include what kinds of containers to use and how to maintain them. Who: Colorado State University Extension/Pueblo County What: Yard and Garden Class - Dramatic Container Gardens When: Tuesday, April 17,... more »

• Drought aid offered to farmers in 10 counties

  January 31, 2012 1:56 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Farmers in 10 counties in east-central Colorado can apply for emergency loans and other help under a drought disaster designation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that Lincoln County was designated the primary disaster area, and that qualifying farmers in nine adjacent counties could apply for... more »

• Hay prices hurting local animal sanctuary

  July 24, 2011 9:00 PM

  Every morning in Yoder, Colorado Jim Griesemer heads out to feed his animals. Since 2007 Jim has run the Circle G Ranch. a sanctuary for abused or abandoned horses. "We feed them, take care of them, and make sure they get veterinarian service. We love them and we just let... more »

• E-Verify bill gives agriculture extra time

  June 14, 2011 9:28 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The agriculture industry is getting a break in a proposed bill that eventually would require all U.S. businesses to use a government database to verify that their employees are legally allowed to work in the country. The Legal Workforce Act, introduced Tuesday by Rep. Lamar Smith,... more »

• State House eliminates tax breaks for some properties

  March 29, 2011 2:03 PM

  DENVER (AP) - The Colorado House has given final approval to eliminating tax breaks for small properties that aren't being used for farming or ranching. The proposal would allow assessors to reclassify up to 2 acres of land to be taxed at a higher residential rate if the land... more »

• Colorado lawmaker wants ag tax exemption reinstated

  January 31, 2011 7:17 AM

  DENVER (AP)-A Republican state lawmaker is trying to restore a state income tax exemption for farmers and ranchers. Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg of Sterling says agriculture needs the exemptions from sales and use taxes for the agricultural products for livestock and pesticides. The exemption would cost the state $1.3 million... more »

• Study: Colorado water demands may dry up ag land

  January 28, 2011 7:36 AM

  DENVER (AP)-Increasing water demands could dry up more than a half million acres of agricultural land in Colorado over the next several years. That's one of the findings of a new state report on the outlook for Colorado's water supplies to 2050. The report by the Colorado Water Conservation... more »

• Former congressman named agriculture commissioner

  January 5, 2011 5:34 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Former congressman John Salazar has been appointed to be the new Colorado agriculture commissioner. Hickenlooper said Wednesday that Salazar's experience representing Colorado's 3rd Congressional District and being a former member of the state Legislature's House Agriculture Committee made him uniquely qualified for the job. Salazar lost... more »

• Economic bright spot: Colorado ag exports increase

  August 26, 2010 8:40 AM

  Colorado officials say the state's agricultural exports through the first half of the year are up 27 percent from the same period last year, to $508.9 million. Colorado exports of meat, hides and skins, animal products such as milk, eggs and honey, miscellaneous food and miscellaneous grains, seeds and... more »

• Ranchers to talk competition in northern Colorado

  August 20, 2010 10:21 PM

  Ranchers from across the country are expected to gather in northern Colorado to talk about competition in the cattle industry. Attorney General Eric Holder and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are scheduled to attend the Aug. 27 meeting in Fort Collins. It's the fourth in a series of meetings the Obama... more »

• White House admits mistake, offers job

  July 21, 2010 5:58 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House is apologizing to a black Agriculture Department employee who was ousted for her remarks about race. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs called the dismissal of Shirley Sherrod an injustice and a mistake, and apologized on behalf of the "entire administration." He says officials didn't... more »

• Colorado exports go around the world

  June 24, 2010 1:00 PM

  Colorado's agricultural producers continue to expand their products into global markets. The Colorado Department of Agriculture reports ag exports grew 21 percent in the first quarter of 2010. "Colorado's first quarter agricultural exports exceeded $223.8 million. It's great to see such a strong start to the year," said Commissioner... more »

• Don't bring firewood on a camping trip

  May 26, 2010 4:27 PM

  When camping, the Colorado Department of Agriculture reminds outdoor enthusiasts to leave their firewood at home. "Moving firewood across the state can contribute to tree mortality," said John Kaltenbach, CDA's cooperative agricultural pest survey coordinator. "Insects and diseases can be transported with the wood and can hurt or even... more »

• Freezes hit Colorado vinyards

  May 10, 2010 8:31 AM

  Spring freezes have hit the Grand Valley's grape crop, which was already hit by a deep freeze in December. That could affect winemakers looking for Colorado grapes. Bruce Talbott's operation on East Orchard Mesa is among the state's largest for growing wine grapes. He says his operation harvested 476... more »

• USDA moves to ban additives from organic formula

  April 27, 2010 5:50 PM

  The Agriculture Department is moving to ban two synthetic additives from organic baby formula, overturning a Bush administration decision to allow them. The USDA said Tuesday that the department incorrectly interpreted Food and Drug Administration guidelines that appeared to allow the additives, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids also known... more »

• Governor to sign bill protecting farmland

  April 14, 2010 12:52 PM

  Gov. Bill Ritter is signing a bill that would limit the use of urban renewal authority to take agricultural land. Lawmakers say Colorado is rapidly losing farmland and they believe urban renewal was never intended for taking more land away from farmers and ranchers. The bill also requires county assessors... more »

• Congress takes aim at unhealthy school lunches

  March 24, 2010 1:00 PM

  Greasy pizzas and high-calorie desserts may be less frequent lunchtime treats for schoolchildren under a wide-ranging nutrition bill approved by a Senate panel. The legislation approved Wednesday by the Senate Agriculture Committee would create uniform standards for all foods in schools, including vending machine items, to give students healthier... more »

• Colorado House cutting $475 million from state budget

  February 18, 2010 8:23 AM

  Colorado lawmakers are slashing jobs and state services in an effort to cut another $475 million from this year's budget, targeting education, prisons and Medicaid patients. The House approved 31 bills Wednesday that will cut nearly every sector of state government as they work to cut $1.5 billion over... more »

• Colorado tax hikes would undo tax breaks

  February 12, 2010 9:08 AM

  The tax hikes lawmakers are rushing to pass to balance the budget would undo about 6 percent of the $2.2 billion in tax credits and exemptions on Colorado's books. They would affect a range of industries, from manufacturing to information technology to agriculture, as well as consumers. Buyers of... more »

• Thousands of Colorado layoffs blamed on exports drop

  February 11, 2010 9:26 AM

  State figures show Colorado exports to other countries fell nearly 25 percent last year during a global recession. The state's director of international trade, Pam Reichert, says exports fell from about $7.7 billion in 2008 to about $5.8 billion last year. Jim Reis of the World Trade Center in... more »

• Cow tips man and steps on him

  February 7, 2010 9:30 AM

  People probably can't tip cows, but a cow tipped a person in Knoxville. Then it stepped on him. An ambulance was called to the University of Tennessee agriculture campus Friday morning. Fire Department Capt. D.J. Corcoran told The Knoxville News Sentinel first responders found a 40 to 50-year-old man who... more »

• Colorado counties gets agriculture disaster loans

  February 2, 2010 10:45 AM

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted a request for disaster designation in several Colorado counties where crops have been affected by drought and an early frost. Gov. Bill Ritter says Fremont County experienced damaging frost and freezing temperatures on Oct. 8-11. He says the Western Slope saw a wet... more »

• Colorado lawmakers approve fuel tax

  February 1, 2010 6:37 PM

  The Colorado House has given tentative approval to a bill that would eliminate a tax exemption for energy used in manufacturing, transportation and agriculture. Gov. Bill Ritter proposed going after the tax breaks after the state was forced to cut $2 billion from this year's budget and another $1... more »

• Colorado optimistic Calif ruling won't hurt water deal

  January 19, 2010 11:19 AM

  Colorado water officials are optimistic that a California court ruling invalidating a conservation plan won't derail agreements affecting seven Western states. Dick Wolfe, director of the Colorado Division of Water Resources, said Tuesday that water officials have shown a "collective will" to overcome obstacles. A judge last week... more »

• CSU gets funding to study feedlot emissions

  December 31, 2009 8:40 AM

  Colorado State University researchers have received $1.15 million in federal funds to study how much nitrogen and ammonia are emitted from cattle feedlots. Feedlots along Colorado's Front Range are believed to be a major source of nitrogen pollution in Rocky Mountain National Park to the west. Biologists say the park's... more »

• Florida town warms up to proposed nuclear plant

  October 7, 2009 11:33 AM

  Not much has changed in this Gulf Coast town since Elvis Presley filmed "Follow that Dream" here 48 years ago - except that a shrinking economy dependent on fishing, shrimping and agriculture has left more people looking for work. Jobs are a big reason most residents favor Progress Energy's... more »

• Colorado winter wheat harvest ranks 2nd this year

  September 30, 2009 5:22 PM

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Colorado harvested 98 million bushels of winter wheat this year, second in the nation behind Kansas. Darrell Hanavan of the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee said Wednesday that's the highest Colorado has ever ranked. Earlier forecasts pegged the harvest around 89 million bushels. The record... more »

• Hot, windy weather stokes Southern California blaze

  September 24, 2009 10:14 AM

  A major air assault is planned this morning in Southern California where a wildfire has chewed through more than 25 square miles of bone dry brush, threatening hundreds of homes. A multimillion dollar agriculture industry and valuable oil production fields are also at risk. Firefighters are focused today on the... more »

• Storms help, but don't end Texas drought

  September 18, 2009 12:29 PM

  Recent storms in Texas brought some long-awaited relief to the nation's most drought-stricken state, but the brutal dry spell is far from over as it drags into its third year. About 16 percent of the state - all in the southern and central parts of Texas - is classified... more »