Agricultural Conference to Begin on February 4 in Alamosa

The Southern Rocky Mountain Ag Conference for this year is packed with exciting speakers and events that agriculture enthusiasts won’t want to miss. Opening on February 4 and running until February 6 at the Ski Hi Stampede Complex in Monte Vista, this three-day event will cover a wide array of topics important to the agricultural community. One of the notable highlights will be the United Potato Business Summit, which will be integrated into the first afternoon of the conference.

Larry Brown of the CSU Extension Office expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with the United Potato Business Summit, noting that it has allowed them to secure prominent speakers for the conference. Sessions during the summit will discuss various aspects related to potatoes, including consumption, frozen potato processing, and the North American Potato Market Outlook.

One of the main attractions of the conference is the presence of renowned speakers such as Stephen Nicholson. Nicholson, a global sector strategist in grains and oilseeds for the RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness group, will deliver the keynote speech on Wednesday, February 5 at 11 a.m. His expertise will provide valuable insights into the industry and its future prospects.

Additionally, attendees can look forward to the presentation by Heather Dutton of the SLV Water Conservancy District and Sarah Jones of Jones Farms Organics on the Rye Resurgence Project. Taking place on Wednesday, February 5 at 3:20 p.m., this project aims to promote rye as a rotational crop to reduce groundwater dependency, enhance soil health, and create market opportunities for farmers in the Valley.

Another intriguing session will be led by Jae Sanders of the SLV Local Foods Coalition, who will share the findings of a food and agriculture assessment conducted in 2024. This presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, February 5 at 8:15 a.m. The insights gained from this assessment will provide valuable information for the local community.

Moreover, the conference will conclude on Thursday, February 6 with discussions on the 2025 water supply outlook and ditch forecasts for SLV farmers. Pat McDermott will kick off the session at 8:35 a.m., followed by State Engineer Jason Ullman at 10 a.m., who will address the sustainability of the Upper Rio Grande aquifers. These discussions are crucial for understanding the challenges and opportunities related to water resources in the region.

Overall, the Southern Rocky Mountain Ag Conference promises to be a comprehensive and enlightening event for all participants. By bringing together experts, farmers, and industry professionals, the conference aims to foster knowledge sharing, networking opportunities, and collaborations that will benefit the agricultural community. This year’s lineup of speakers and sessions highlights the importance of sustainable practices, market trends, and water resource management in the field of agriculture.