Western Slope Food and Farm Forum focuses on adapting to climate change and working together

Sunday 19th of May 2013

Whole lot of shaking going on!

Two small earthquakes centered east of Ridgway Reservoir shook up residents in the early morning of Thursday, May 2. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the quakes occurred at 7:11 a.m. and 7:16 a.m. "I felt it more from the roof than from the floor," said Sue Husch, who lives just off County Road 12. She said others reported the jolt came from the top also. (Screenshot from Google Earth shows location.) Read more...

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the Ouray Police Department officers' work schedule...

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Western Slope Food and Farm Forum focuses on adapting to climate change and working together

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Omernik encouraged participants to see their common goals instead of their differences, saying, “We cannot circle the wagons and have a shootout. We need to speak respectfully of one another’s choices.”
Forum participants had the opportunity to choose from several sessions throughout the day, tailored to their interests. Themes for the sessions were adapting to climate change, making the most of limited resources and thinking from a holistic perspective. Ouray County resident Alyssa Tsukushi of Yankee Boy Farm noted, "The range of topics was great for diversified operations like Yankee Boy." Presenter Julie Sullivan of San Juan Ranch encouraged participants to surround themselves with a variety of ideas, saying, “The creativity that comes from differences turns into a strength when adapting to a changing environment.”
The forum offered excellent networking opportunities for participants while they ate a wholesome lunch made from local ingredients. During the meal, participants shared ideas, connections and thanks. A farming intern thanked a rancher for the delicious beef she had enjoyed the previous night; in turn, the rancher thanked her for the tomatoes she had traded for the beef several months earlier. Another group of participants discussed purchasing extra peppers for making salsa from a farmer who always grew more peppers than he could sell. These sorts of conversations occurred at each of the 20 or so tables in the room.
The event will become an annual forum for the region. Tsukushi said, "The forum was educational and really inspiring. The keynote speaker, Fred Provenza, as well as the presentation by George Whitten and Julie Sullivan, have made me rethink what I know about nutrition and livestock management. I'm really looking forward to doing more research on holistic management now."
Valley Food Partnership, Colorado State University extension program, the Small Business Development Center, the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Cooperative and Economic Development Center and Community Banks of Colorado all worked in conjunction to put on the event.