Promoting Healthy, Self-Reliant Communities with Agriculture
Soil Health & Regenerative Agriculture
Building soil health through the use of regenerative agriculture practices is critical to current and future agricultural production on the Western Slope. Our Alliance supported the Agriculture Soil Health Program, which established a dedicated branch within the Colorado Department of Agriculture. This initiative encourages voluntary participation among farmers, facilitated by the STAR+ (Saving Tomorrow’s Agricultural Resources) Program. STAR+ provides financial aid and services to farmers, aiding them in improving soil health for better crop yields. We advocate for healthy soils, recognizing their importance in both producing nutritious foods, reducing carbon emissions, and increasing overall food production.
Local Food Access
Our Alliance works on many levels to support and grow local food markets and access for producers and consumers. We led the way for the passage of the Colorado Cottage Foods Act in the state legislature, ensuring that farmers and home producers have safe and fair opportunities to sell their produce and homemade foods. Recently, we also helped pass Proposition FF, Healthy School Meals for All, to provide free school lunch for all Colorado students and to support school districts buying more locally grown food. We are actively working to implement this program in Western Colorado, facilitating connections between local farmers and school districts. We continue to research and identify local food procurement opportunities, including the possibility of a local food hub in Mesa County.
Consumer Education
Agricultural Land Protections
National Policies
Related News
Colorado’s Cottage Foods Act received a meaningful update this legislative season! Members of the Alliance’s Food and Local Agriculture committee attended the signing of the newly nicknamed Tamale Act on […]
Come kick off our 2026 Farm Tour series with J&D Heirloom Seeds at 60851 Gunnison Rd in Montrose from 10 am to 12 pm on May 14! Joseph and Dodi […]
Join Western Colorado Alliance, the Community Food Bank of Grand Junction, and Hunger Free Colorado on September 10 in Clifton for a campaign kickoff event for Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA).
Emily Hornback
Executive Director
Contact for more information or to get involved.