COFSAC Economic Development Listening Sessions

Items/Priorities/Needs that COFSAC Heard (What does Colorado agriculture need in order to increase viability, resiliency, economic sustainability?) Education/Technical Assistance Pricing support- real costs of inputs, other market prices, etc.

Partners Event Item and was Heard Actionable Items, Work plan, Project Ideas for You and Your Organization Stakeholder At (See Key (These ideas were generated by WPM Consulting staff s Already Below) and are not intended to be inclusive or binding) Working On 1 2 3 4 It Expand and support CSU-Ext direct market price reports x x Support Agriculture and Business Management services through CSU-Ext Develop and promote training guides which promote new market access, e.g., how to meet, approach and sell to restaurants or small retailers Host "tradeshows/meet and greets" to connect producers to new buyers Continue to grow and support Colorado Proud, Know Your Farmer Know Your Food, Buy Fresh Buy Local campaigns Develop Colorado Proud farmers markets and local retailing standards Develop media and marketing materials promoting the economic and health effects of local and regional purchasing Develop size and industry specific guides for start-up food related businesses Increase availability of food safety trainings and safe handling education Consolidate regulation information and education resources, develop a "one stop, how-to" Inventory and promote existing community kitchens Develop regional food hubs for processing, packing, and shipping Develop joint use of institutional kitchen models

Marketing and market access support

Clarity on food safety rules and regulations that run the whole spectrum- farm field to value added processing to distribution to sale

Promote and support value added processing of x Colorado products Financing and insurance assistance and support Market management support and assistance

x x

Items/Priorities/Needs that COFSAC Heard (What does Colorado agriculture need in order to increase viability, resiliency, economic sustainability?) Increase capacity for EBT infrastructure at Farmers' Markets Increase outreach to food assistance clients about local markets Consumer education on value of local purchasing Support beginning farmer education

Partners Event Item and was Heard Actionable Items, Work plan, Project Ideas for You and Your Organization Stakeholder At (See Key (These ideas were generated by WPM Consulting staff s Already Below) and are not intended to be inclusive or binding) Working On 1 2 3 4 It x x x x x x Continue Colorado Building Farmers classes and mentorships, support expansion of program into other areas Develop a guide discussion the potential barriers and opportunities for land transfer in various local policy environments Support networking opportunities which connect retiring farmers and new farmers Support the public acquisition of good agriculture land for leasing to local farmers Increase technical assistance and support for grant writing Develop funding guide to inform financial searchers Develop local sourcing preferences and policies Develop and support land use policies that protect agriculture Develop and support water use policies that protect agriculture Require that conservation easements keep land and water together Provide tax incentives for development of regional food and agriculture infrastructure Cross promote farmers markets and food assistance programs with State and County Human Services, CSUExt

Connect new farmers to agricultural land

Increase access to resources for program development Regulatory/Policy

Support economic viability of local/regional agriculture and direct markets by (increase the competitive edge of local and regional producers)

Partners Event Item Support economic viability of local/regional Items/Priorities/Needs that COFSAC and was Heard Actionable Items, Work plan, Project Ideas for You agriculture anddoes Colorado agriculture need At (See Key Heard (What direct markets by (increase the and Your Organization Stakeholder x x competitive edge of local and regional in order to increase viability, resiliency, (These ideas were generated by WPM Consulting staff s Already Below) producers) economic sustainability?) and are not intended to be inclusive or binding) Working On 1 2 3 4 It Require local economic impact reporting for institutional purchasers using state and federal monies Balance food safety regulations and cottage food industry development Consistent food safety regulations across geographic regions Increase access to labor markets x x x x x x Overhaul H-2A temporary agriculture labor program to increase usability by producers Provide tax incentives for community processing facilities Promote value added processing of Colorado's agricultural products Research/Assessment What role does transportation play in regional food security? How can we insure the rural communities have adequate access to food? Understand costs and benefits of leasing public lands to agriculture Understand the market impact of subsidized programs on unsubsidized direct markets Supporting on-farm research for multi-crop systems which incorporate energy efficiencies, nutrient cycling, and direct marketing Understanding the return on investment of local and regional food related industries x x x x Provide financial resources (e.g., shift funders focus on capital grants; advocate for tax incentives) for community processing facilities Develop and size specific regulations that protect consumers while enabling cottage industry development

x x

x Initiate studies on farmers markets and other clearly defined retailers to assess annual revenue and financial benefits to participating farmers

Items/Priorities/Needs that COFSAC Heard (What does Colorado agriculture need in order to increase viability, resiliency, economic sustainability?)

Optimize production capacity in Colorado Private Market Opportunities Transportation and distribution systems USDA inspected meat processing facility Commercial kitchens Processing and packaging facilities Season extension services and equipment Local food hubs Small scale institutions- financing, marketing, insurance Programing Connection and communication amongst regional groups and to state groups

Partners Event Item and was Heard Actionable Items, Work plan, Project Ideas for You and Your Organization Stakeholder At (See Key (These ideas were generated by WPM Consulting staff s Already Below) and are not intended to be inclusive or binding) Working On 1 2 3 4 It Enhance research of the opportunity and feasibility of such infrastructure x x x Determine best crop and livestock varieties for Colorado's microclimates x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Share successful models- in person and in writing

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Summer Tour 2011 ED Summit in Pueblo 2011 Governor's Ag Forum 2012 CFMA Annual Meeting 2012