Colorado is a state known for its agriculture industry. However, it is often conservative when it comes to change. Sustainable practises are on the rise, as they are more oriented towards the needs of the market and the health of the environment.
Luckily, young farmers are moving into the area, bringing with them a variety of educational backgrounds and a heightened awareness of the importance of sustainability.
What is Sustainability?
Before discussing the innovations of Colorado, it is important to clarify what sustainability entails. Simply put, it is a set of agricultural practices that ensure current food needs are met, without damaging the environment. This can be accomplished in many ways. The latest technology is key in this practice, allowing farmers to do things like monitor the nutrition of their soil and track the health of crops.
Departure From Industrial Farming
At this point, most farms in Colorado are industrial operations. This means the farming is centralized, with labor divided as it would be in a factory. The farms focus on monocultures that are grown on large portions of land at once. There is a historical basis for change, as industrial farming is a relatively new concept to American rural life. Prior to World War 2, small, decentralized farms were the norm.
Local Produce Markets
A key part of the sustainable approach is to continue the process beyond the farm, extending to local markets and customer outreach. It is imperative for small Colorado farms to find venues where their produce can be sold. The proper infrastructure is already in place. Markets prove to the customer base that your products can be trusted. Selling locally also cuts down on the carbon footprint and costs of transportation and produce storage.
Local NGOs
The important issue of raising social awareness about sustainability has already been taken up by a variety of non-governmental agencies around Colorado. Their work has already influenced policy in regards to industry change. Greenleaf Denver is one such group, focused on teaching youth how to grow food in a responsible, eco-friendly way. It is based on a 6,000 square foot farm, and works with children ages 14-18.
Grow local Colorado is another NGO working towards similar goals, but with a different approach. Volunteers focus on gardens throughout Denver, turning them into profitable and useful ventures. It began with abandoned, underprivileged areas but now takes on even ordinary suburban areas, turning them into small, sustainable farms.
Restaurants
Farm-to-table is an other crucial element of sustainable agriculture. This is especially true in Colorado: a state with great pride in its culinary tradition. Incorporating healthy agriculture into the culinary scene is a way for customers to ensure their meal is prepared with local love and care, from start to finish.
The Colorado Farm and Food Alliance is an NGO focused on creating a network between restaurants and local farmers, as well as wine and beer makers. They help to educate those wo work in the field, while promoting their work at the same time.
Conclusion
Sustainable agriculture is a growing part of Colorado’s culinary and agricultural scene. NGOs and businesses work together to make Colorado farming more eco-friendly.