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Posts Tagged ‘colorado’
Sunday, November 27th, 2011
In the wake of a series of food recalls, most recently a Colorado cantaloupe recall, some agricultural officials are rethinking food safety regulations. While the most immediate beneficiary of a stricter regulatory processes are consumers, the health and safety of the agricultural industry as a whole is also a major factor driving tougher standards.
The damage done to farmers’ reputations may not be as tangible as the illnesses and deaths caused by tainted food, but it can cause significant and lasting damage to growers.
In the Salinas Valley of California, for example, the leafy greens industry is still struggling to recover from a 2006 E. coli outbreak. The outbreak of E. coli in Salinas spinach killed three people, sickened 206, and dominated national news for months.
While farmers reacted swiftly, retooling growing, planting, and packaging guidelines and creating an industry pact on strategies to protect various leafy greens grown in the state, a pact that is being hailed nationwide, they are still suffering from the damage done to their reputations.
Food and retail chains, for example, are much stricter about the quality of the product they buy. Some food chains even send unannounced inspectors to Salinas farms in order to guarantee that quality control measures are being followed. This increased public scrutiny has had an effect. Spinach production in Monterrey County, for example, has decreased by about $62 million.
Some Colorado cantaloupe farmers are hoping to imitate some of the Salinas safety regulations. Many ag officials there have suggested creating new industry guidelines and have proposed toughening up the inspection process. However, many cantaloupe farmers have suspended their melon planting, hoping to shift to other crops until the worst of the public furor has died down.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: california, cantaloupe, colorado, e. coli
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Saturday, November 12th, 2011
In the wake of Colorado’s cantaloupe controversy, state agricultural officials are planning a new certification program for Rocky Ford produce. State Agricultural Commissioner John Salazar discussed the possibility of a new certification program earlier this month, but balked at potential price tags.
However, certification plans have recently become more concrete with news that the proceeds of a sale of a railroad line in Southern Colorado could go towards funding the farm program.
The planned Rocky Ford Proud certification brand was discussed with local growers earlier this week. In order to qualify for the label, growers would have to conform to stricter production and hygiene standards suggested by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Colorado politicians have come out in favor of the certification program. While they are insistent that farmers and growers need to be the driving force behind it, many hope that the label could help rehabilitate a struggling industry.
The sale of the Tower Railroad line could bring the state about $9 million. Agricultural officials have estimated that about $150,000 would be needed to seed a certification program.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: cantaloupe, colorado, John Salazar
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Thursday, October 20th, 2011
According to Colorado agricultural officials, the cause of the recent listeria outbreak, traced to tainted cantaloupe from Jensen Farm, has been discovered. Earlier this week, investigators concluded that unsanitary conditions at packing facilities maintained by Jensen Farms were the root cause of the deadly illness.
The outbreak of listeria is the deadliest in recent U.S. history. 25 people were killed and 120 sickened across 26 states as a result of consuming tainted cantaloupe.
Part of the problem, some officials claim, is that Jensen Farm, which has operated for more than 20 years, was never inspected by the Food and Drug Administration. Many food growers are not required to submit to FDA inspections. While large buyers typically only purchase produce that has undergone Good Agricultural Practices certification and inspection, voluntary inspections and audits are frequently spotty. For example, Jensen Farms underwent and passed a voluntary audit in July, just weeks before the listeria outbreak.
While the listeria outbreak appears to be contained, many Colorado farmers are worried about the fallout. Cantaloupe farmers in the Rocky Ford area acknowledge that it will likely be some time before American consumers are willing to trust their cantaloupe. As such, many farmers in the region are reducing their cantaloupe planting, instead relying on other crops to get them through upcoming lean years.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: cantaloupe, colorado, FDA, listeria
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Monday, October 3rd, 2011
The listeria contamination that has been traced to a Colorado melon farm has spread. Earlier in the month, Colorado agricultural officials discovered an outbreak of listeria on a Rocky Ford melon farm. The discovery was made after several Colorado residents fell ill. Upon diagnosis of listeriosis, investigators discovered that cantaloupe purchased from Jensen Farms connected several of the patients.
Listeria is a bacteria commonly found in soil, stream water, sewage, plants, and sometimes food. While rare, ingestion of listeria can lead to an illness known as listeriosis. Commonly found in newborn, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, listeriosis can be fatal. The most common symptoms are fever, muscle ache, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea. The infection can also spread to the nervous system, causing meningitis, a deadly swelling of the brain and spinal cord.
The outbreak, which had initially sickened over 22 people and killed 3, has spread. The death toll so far stands at 15, with citizens across the country sickened by the tainted melons. The listeria fear has also taken a toll on local cantaloupe growers across the country, who are reassuring local consumers that their melons are not the cause of the illnesses.
A major cause of the outbreak is the lack of federal or state oversight on melon farms in the U.S. Currently, consumers must rely on third party auditors hired by producers or grocers since there is no federal agency that inspects melon farms. In the wake of the listeria outbreak, many consumer advocate organizations are pushing for increased federal regulation of melon farms and other agricultural products.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: colorado, farm regulations, listeria, usda
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Friday, September 16th, 2011
Federal and state agriculture officials have recalled cantaloupe from a Colorado farm following the discovery of the listeria bacterium. Jensen Farms, located in Holly, Colorado, issued a recall following an outbreak of listeria that sickened over 22 people, killing at least three so far. Other Colorado cantaloupe farms are testing their produce in order to make sure it is not similarly tainted.
Listeria is a bacteria commonly found in soil, stream water, sewage, plants, and sometimes food. While rare, ingestion of listeria can lead to an illness known as listeriosis. Commonly found in newborns, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems, listeriosis can be fatal. The most common symptoms are fever, muscle ache, vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea. The infection can also spread to the nervous system, causing meningitis, a deadly swelling of the brain and spinal cord.
Colorado hospitals discovered the listeria outbreak after treating several patients and determining that the common factor between them was cantaloupe, later narrowed to cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford area. Federal officials discovered listeria contamination in Jensen Farm melons, and are still testing to determine if their produce was the original source of the initial outbreak.
At least one couple sickened is suing Jensen Farms. Tammy and Charles Palmer consumed tainted melons from Jensen Farms. Charles Palmer was sickened and rushed to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: colorado, listeria
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Sunday, July 17th, 2011
Colorado breweries are looking to expand in the wake of changing agricultural markets in the state. Colorado brewers have long been subjected to a fluctuating hops market, often dependent on importing hops from across the country, Canada, and even as far as Germany. Many brewers are frustrated at the lack of local hops and hope to reduce their carbon footprint while simultaneously creating an all-Colorado beer.
In addition to these environmental concerns, many brewers are frustrated by unpredictable prices. The lack of locally grown hops and the reliance on imports means that hops prices, and by extension beer prices, can fluctuate wildly throughout the year.
These desires, however, have been thwarted by the lack of hops farms in the state. Over the past several years, however, many brewers have opened small hops farms across the state, hoping that the growth of the local crop could help lower prices. In addition, they hope that these small farms could help lower carbon footprints and help encourage more sustainable agriculture.
The transformation of Colorado beer making helps reinforce the connection between local businesses and local agriculture. While it may be easy to forget the important role that farming plays on nearly every aspect of American life, Colorado brewers are proof positive of the significance of agriculture and the need to support local, sustainable growing.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: beer, colorado, hops
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Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
With election season over, many changes are occurring throughout the agriculture government infrastructure. Governor-elect John Hickenlooper announced John Salazar is the new Commissioner of Agriculture for Colorado.
Salazar is a sixth-generation farmer and rancher whose resume includes three terms as Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District’s representative, two years on the Colorado General Assembly and a member of the Agriculture Committee.
“A thriving agriculture sector is critical to Colorado’s economic recovery,” Hickenlooper said. “Farmers and ranchers are also leading the way as business innovators. Their prosperity helps build a foundation for all of Colorado. And no one has been a more passionate champion for agriculture and rural communities than John Salazar. We are fortunate to have his leadership at the helm of the Department of Agriculture.”
As an active member in Congress, Salazar is recognized by the American Farm Bureau and National Farmers Union for his agricultural advocacy. Salazar was a key player in the 2008 Farm Bill. He also worked on issues related to natural resources, job creation and the economy.
Before participating in politics, Salazar served on the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, Colorado Agricultural Leadership Forum and the Colorado Agricultural Commission. He was elected as a state Representative in 2002.
This article courtesy of Farm Plus Financial. For information regarding agricultural finance opportunities contact our offices at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Financial staff writer
Tags: colorado, commissioner of agriculture, farm burea, National Farmers Union, salazar
Posted in Colorado farm loans, General | No Comments »
Monday, April 4th, 2011
In Colorado, farmer Chris Jessen is the proud owner of a newly-born rare miniature cow that resembles a panda.
The “panda cow’ was born in Larimer County and is only one of 24 “panda cows” in the entire world. The Loveland Reporter-Herald said the male calf is named Ben and his mother is a lowline Angus cow. He was born Friday (December 31).
Jessen raises miniature cattle on his hobby farm that is also home to miniature kangaroos. A miniature panda cow is not common because it is a genetic manipulated species. Some specific traits include a white belt that encircles the midsection and a white face with black oval eyes that make the cow appear just like the Chinese panda bear.
These cows are so rare they sell for up to $30,000 at fairs and auctions. The panda cow made its first appearance on the television over the weekend on LIVE Report.
This article brought to you compliments of Farm Plus Financial. For information regarding agricultural finance opportunities contact our offices at 866-929-5585.
Written by: Melissa Warner / Farm Plus Financial staff writer
Tags: colorado, panda cow
Posted in Colorado farm loans, General | No Comments »
Sunday, March 6th, 2011
Across the Colorado Front Range, real estate developers are using tax breaks, which were designed to help struggling farmers, to amass development tracks and build housing. Recent investigations into tax records show that in eight Front Range counties, developers and realtors with no real connection to farming own roughly 40% of agricultural land parcels. These agricultural parcels, which are taxed as farming land, currently enjoy tax breaks put into effect in the 1980s to help farmers and agricultural developers. The current controversy, however, stems from developer’s purchase and occupation of this land, an ownership which nets them significant tax breaks, without using the land for agricultural purposes. The agricultural property tax allows them to avoid millions of dollars in conventional property taxes, while simultaneously allowing them to wait out the current real estate crisis.
Colorado Democrats argue that increased tax money could be better spent investing in local schools and state infrastructure. Others argue that the tax loopholes add to suburban sprawl and are unfair, not only to farmers and ranchers, but to ordinary tax payers.
Real estate developers argue that their use of agricultural tax breaks lower costs for Colorado homeowners. They also claim that their exploitation of agricultural property taxes is a temporary measure until the national economy turns around.
Local farmers are also worried that any changes to existing tax structures will hurt agricultural production. They argue that removing agricultural property taxes altogether will put many of them out of business.
To learn more about agricultural financing opportunities contact a Farm Plus Financial representative by calling 866-929-5585 or by visiting www.farmplusfinancial.com.
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
Tags: colorado, Front Range, property tax
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
BP Wind Energy announced it has entered a long-term power contract with the Public Service Company of Colorado to purchase 250 megawatts of renewable energy from Cedar Creek II, LLC.
Cedar Creek II is a wind farm that will be located about 20 miles north of New Raymer in Weld County. It will be due east of the current 300.5 MW Cedar Creek I wind farm. “Today’s announcement is an important milestone for the landowners, county officials and many others in Weld County who have continued to support this project throughout its development,†said John Graham, president, BP Wind Energy. “A power purchase agreement with PSCo enables BP to help the State of Colorado achieve its aggressive renewable energy portfolio target of 30% by 2020.â€
The Cedar Creek II project is the second purchase agreement made from Xcel Energy’s 2007 Colorado Resource Plan. According to Xcel Energy vice president, this project will be the second largest of its kind in the state.
Interested in adding renewable energy resources to your land? Contact Farm Plus today for information on low-rate agriculture loans. Call us at 866-929-5585 or visit us online for more information.
Tags: colorado, renewable energy, Weld County, wind farm
Posted in Colorado farm loans | No Comments »
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