On Thursday, March 15, Governor John Hickenlooper signed the bipartisan Local Foods, Local Jobs Act (SB-48) into law.  The Act , sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz (D-Snowmass) and Rep. Don Coram (R-Montrose), supports local, small-scale growers and producers by creating alternative methods for them to sell homemade, value added goods. 

This legislation will allow small growers to sell their products directly to consumers, jump starting local economies and increasing the availability of healthy, locally grown foods.

Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture John Salazar, as well as local farmers and producers Monica Wiitanen and Beth Conrey were present to show their support at the bill signing.  Wiitanen, who is also a WCC member from Paonia, received one of the three pens Hickenlooper used to sign the bill.

“Our path through the legislature this year went smoothly since we were building on what we did last year,” said Wiitanen.  “That, and knowing that so many other states have passed similar bills, and that they contribute to the homegrown prosperity of our farms and communities.”