Colorado Ag Connection

Colorado Ag Connection | April 2021

Photo credit: Armando Martinez - Fremont County, CO - Submit your photo here.

Along with the springtime activities moving full speed ahead in our ag communities, rapidly increasing COVID-19 vaccinations among our state’s ag workers, and all-around spring fever, this April brings a particularly bittersweet milestone: The retirement of our revered state veterinarian, Dr. Keith Roehr. Colorado has had the distinct and rare advantage of having a skilled, respected and caring leader in the position for more than a quarter-century. Dr. Roehr has led our state and protected our agricultural industry’s vital animal health component through disease outbreaks, weather disasters, large animal events and so much more. I know I speak for thousands of Coloradoans when I say we will be forever grateful for his dedication, service and legacy. Below, is a personal message from Dr. Roehr; thank you for joining me in wishing Keith the very best in the next chapter of his life.

Best,

Kate Greenberg

Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture

Thank you Dr. Roehr!

In March of 1995, after working in private veterinary practice for 14 years, I began the second part of my career journey with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. I have had the best veterinary working opportunities anyone could have. I have worked at a veterinary practice on St Martin, an island in the Caribbean, in practices in beautiful Monte Vista, Colorado and Lufkin, Texas and for the last 26 years the capstone of my career, at CDA.

These 40 years of varied opportunities in veterinary medicine have provided a fulfilling and fascinating career that have allowed me to collaborate with many hard-working and capable people. I have truly enjoyed all of it, especially my time working with the livestock producers and veterinarians of Colorado. I am very pleased with what our team in the Animal Health Division, producers, and veterinarians have accomplished together in protecting the health and wellbeing of animals in our state.

All said, it’s time for a change, and therefore I will be retiring on May 1st. My immediate plans are to tend to some family needs, and in time live vicariously through the lives of my four children, travel to a few places where I have not yet been, and take time to tend to our four acres and complete some long-overdue tasks that need doing.

It has been my pleasure to work with the producers and veterinarians in Colorado. Thanks to all of you for making this time a treasured part of my work life for the past 26 years!

Dr. Keith Roehr

State Veterinarian

Colorado Food and Ag Processors and Manufacturers Invited to Apply for

New Grant Opportunity

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) received an allocation of $312,000 through the Governor’s Office to support Colorado agricultural processors and manufacturers. Applicants will be awarded funds through a competitive process administered by CDA’s Markets Division and the Colorado Agricultural Value-Added Development Board.

Learn More

Governor Polis Celebrates Release

of CHAMP Report

Eighteen months in the making, the CHAMP report is the result of a rigorous and collaborative stakeholder-based initiative that brought together top subject matter experts from the hemp industry, higher education, and regulatory fields to explore important questions regarding the economic advancement and regulatory management of the hemp industry in Colorado.

Learn More

Colorado Proud to Present Free Marketing Webinar

Series Leading into Selling Season

The Department of Agriculture is offering six FREE virtual marketing webinars this spring to help educate ag and food business owners on state-of-the-art ways to connect with consumers through the latest public relations, marketing, branding and social media strategies.

April 8th - Public Relations 101 - Live Q&A

Kuvy Ax, ROOT PR and Marketing

April 22nd - How to Plan a Social Media Content Calendar – Live Q&A

Josephine Agrawal, ROOT PR and Marketing

May 6th - Branding: Stand Out for Success – Live Q&A

Kristine Root, ROOT PR and Marketing

May 20th - Planning, Strategy, and PR Tactics for 2021 – Live Q&A

Emily Tracy, ROOT PR and Marketing

June 3rd - Instagram Strategy for Small Business – Live Q&A

Josephine Agrawal, ROOT PR and Marketing

June 17th - Marketing Strategy: Determine the Right Marketing Channels to Maximize your Investments – Live Q&A

Kristine Root, ROOT PR and Marketing

Learn More & Register

Smoked Deviled Eggs

It’s April and we are thinking of eggs! Eggs are packed with nutrition, and at 17¢ a serving, they’re a wallet-friendly source of high-quality protein that can be prepared in so many ways.

Colorado hens produce more than one billion eggs each year. Colorado ranks 23rd nationally in egg production and the state’s annual gross income from egg production tops $100 million. (Colorado Egg Producers).

Head to your local grocery, market, or farmer/rancher and bring home some Colorado eggs to try in this month’s Colorado smoked deviled egg recipe.

COVID-19 Information

The World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are sources for the most current and accurate information pertaining to the novel coronavirus.

Ask CDA: Eight Divisions to Serve You

Colorado Department of Agriculture

303-869-9000

305 Interlocken Parkway

Broomfield, CO 80021