CSU Extension: the 2022 Highlight Reel
Teaching Vegetable Garden at Brunner Farmhouse
With hands-on workshops like “Trellising” and “Drip Irrigation,” and family events like Broomfield Council on the Arts and Humanities’ “Summer Sundays,” over 400 people were introduced to this new educational resource and gathering space this season. Over 300 pounds of produce were donated to local organizations, and new partnerships led to exciting projects such as the one showcased in this video by the Broomfield High School “Geometry in Construction” class. Are you ready to get your hands dirty? Look for regular classes for both adults and families at the vegetable garden beginning April 2023.
Seed Library
The Broomfield Seed Library opened in April of this year. Supported by seed saving workshops in person and online, 270 seed packs were checked out and countless more exchanged and donated at the first annual Community Seed Swap. Don’t miss the next Community Seed Swap and Earth Day Celebration with CSU Extension and City and County of Broomfield partners on April 22, 2023.
CSU Spur
The first of the three CSU Spur buildings, Vida, opened in January of this year. Vida’s focus on animal and human health includes the Dumb Friends League Veterinary Hospital and Temple Grandin Equine Center, with opportunities for all ages to engage with and observe this important work. The second building, Terra, opened in June. This new home to the state soil, water, and plant clinics is more than just labs. It is also the home to greenhouse, green roof, and urban agriculture research sites, commercial kitchens designed for education and entrepreneurship, and a sensory testing lab (have you ever dreamed of being a taste tester?).
All are invited to celebrate the Spur campus completion with the opening of the third building, Hydro, on Friday, January 6, 2023. Check out Denver Water’s new quality lab, a community theater space, studio spaces, and interactive exhibits.
Year of the Volunteer
Well actually, volunteers enable CSU Extension to bring Broomfield the programs and services you love every year. In 2022, Colorado Master Gardeners and 4-H STEM AmeriCorps members collectively gave over 2,300 hours of their time to the Broomfield community. Volunteers were at the center of teaching and education gardens, the horticulture helpline, webinars, workshops, afterschool programs, and so much more. Huge thanks to these volunteers, with cheers to 2023!
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Business Development Class for Farmers and Ranchers
Registration is open for the Colorado Building Farmers and Ranchers Business Development Program. This online class covers the principles of business management, developing a marketing plan, managing risk in your operation, obtaining financing, and more.
Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6-8:30 pm, from Jan. 17-March 7, 2023. The 8-week program culminates in participants presenting a draft business plan to a group of peers.
Check here for registration and additional information. The course fee is $200 per person, but only $100 for a second participant from the same farm business.
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Last Chance for 2023 Green School
If you’ve ever wanted to up your horticulture game, either professionally or as a hobby, now is the time. Colorado State University's online Green School offers a certifying full course and four different short courses beginning in January.
Learn more about the courses, fees, registration deadlines, and class schedules on the Colorado Master Gardener website. You must register by Jan. 2 for the short courses or Jan. 4 for the full course.
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Webinar: Managing Squirrels in the Landscape
Wednesday, Jan. 11
12 p.m.
Get a jump on those pesky squirrels by attending this webinar presented by Dr. John Koprowski, University of Wyoming. Remember, you can find recordings of previous horticulture classes on the CO-Horts Blog website.
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National Western Stock Show
Jan. 7-22
From rodeos and horse shows to family-friendly activities and more, the Stock Show offers something for everyone. All ticketed events include free parking and grounds admission. So make a day of it and explore the grounds - you never know what you'll see and discover! While you're there, check out the new Colorado State University Spur Campus.
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Closures
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Jan. 2 - Broomfield CSU Extension office closed for New Year's holiday
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Jan. 16-20 - the Broomfield Library, CSU Extension office and Auditorium will be closed for staff training. Library, Extension, and Arts & History staff will be working on projects that cannot be done while patrons are in the building. The Library, Auditorium, and Depot Museum will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 21.
Broomfield CSU Extension's regular office hours are 9 a.m. to
1 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
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4-H Healthy Living Activity: Hydrate!
What better time than the cold, dry winter to learn about the importance of keeping the body hydrated? This activity helps kids calculate how much water they need, along with a sample chart to track how well they're doing.
Find other STEM activities on the Broomfield CSU Extension website.
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Cottage Food Safety Training
Offered by Colorado State University Extension, this nationally-recognized training program covers the specifics of the Colorado Cottage Food Act and how to safely operate a food business from a home kitchen. The $50 online class is next offered on these dates:
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Resolutions, Anyone?
If you've made health-related resolutions for the new year, Colorado State University has many science-based resources to help. Visit FoodSmart Colorado for healthy eating and physical activity guides.
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Winter Garden and Home Care
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Waste Less, Spend Less with Reusable Bags
Did you know the average person uses over 300 plastic bags each year? Plastic bags are produced from non-renewable resources making them very difficult to recycle. Even though most thin plastic bags are used for only minutes, they take more than 500 years to decompose.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2023, a new Colorado law will require businesses with more than three locations to impose a 10-cent fee on single-use plastic and paper bags. Avoid these fees and help reduce waste by bringing your reusable bags to your favorite Broomfield stores when you shop! Learn more about this new ordinance at Broomfield.org/DisposableBagFee.
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Boards and Commissions
Make a difference in your community: serve on a board or commission with the City and County of Broomfield! Apply today to help create a diverse, equitable and inclusive representation of Broomfield by providing your unique perspectives and input on a variety of upcoming projects impacting the future of our community. Residents can apply beginning Jan. 3 through 5 p.m. on Jan. 31 at Broomfield.org/BandC.
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Utility Rate Adjustment
In 2021, Broomfield contracted with Willdan Financial Services to complete a Utility Rate Study to assess the accuracy of Broomfield’s residential and commercial utility rates to support the maintenance, operations and infrastructure related to the water, sewer and water reclamation utilities. The water changes were approved Oct. 25, 2022 and will become effective Jan. 1, 2023 meaning customers will see an adjustment beginning February 2023 in water rates, sewer rates and additional charges.
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Reach out to CSU Extension in Broomfield
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Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. Colorado State University Extension,
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Colorado counties cooperating.
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