Connecting producers with resources, updates, and programming throughout the Yampa Valley!

 

CAA's Meat CSA

(only 1 share left)

Land Stewardship Class Registration Open

Final Farm-to-Table Dinner at Three Forks

 

News, Events, Deadlines & More

FROM OUR PARTNERS IN AGRICULTURE

 

For Sale: Chicken Coop / Small Shelter


What: Rustic A-frame/lean-to chicken coop or small livestock loafing shed with corrugated metal roofing, rough-sawn and reclaimed wood siding, plywood front panels, and a small latching access door that can be removed if needed.

Size: 8' W × 58" H × 5' D

Cost: Make an offer. Willing to trade for local food!

Pickup: Steamboat II

Contact: Meredith Rose, rosewestag@gmail.com

Sign Up To Be Featured In The Colorado Proud Fall & Winter Guide



What: Colorado businesses, farms, markets, and agritourism destinations can be featured in the new Fall & Winter Guide, highlighting seasonal activities, local gifts, holiday greenery, and winter experiences.

Cost: Free to list

Deadline: November 16

Register: Sign up here

Let’s Talk About CMC’s Common Reader: Go As A River



When: Tuesday, October 13 | 6PM

Where: Off the Beaten Path, 68 9th St., Steamboat Springs

What: Join CAA’s Patrick Stanko and Mendi Figueroa for a conversation about Go as a River, exploring connections between water, agriculture, and community.

Cost: Free

Historic Hayden Granary Barn Dance


When: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 6:30PM – 10PM

Where: Historic Hayden Granary, Hayden, CO

What: A community barn dance celebrating Northwest Colorado’s agricultural heritage, local history, and the enduring spirit of the Hayden community.

Drought Herd Dispersal | British White & British White-Influenced Cattle


When: Monday, October 19, 2026

Where: Loma Livestock Sales

What: Herd dispersal featuring commercial cows, bred heifers, pairs, yearling and weaning heifers, and weaning steers. Cattle are calm, easy to handle, fence trained, and grazed at 5–11K ft.

Bidding: In person, by phone, or online. Shipping available at buyer expense.

Questions: kathy@roancreekranch.com | 970-270-2099

Longer Tables Community Dinners


When & Where: Tuesday, October 20 Hayden | 6–7PM & Tuesday, November 3 Steamboat Springs | 5:30–6:30PM

What: Free community dinners celebrating Colorado’s 150th birthday, featuring local food and opportunities to connect with neighbors!

Cost: Free

RSVP: tinyurl.com/RouttLongerTables or call Routt County Extension at 970-879-0825. RSVP by the Friday before each event; space is limited.

 

Classes, Conferences & Education

 

AgNext: Sustainability Research for the Beef Industry



When: Wednesday, October 14 | Doors 6PM, chili 6:30PM, presentation 7PM

Where: Bud Werner Memorial Library, Library Hall, 1289 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs

What: Dr. Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Director of CSU’s AgNext, will share the latest research on cattle, greenhouse gas emissions, animal and ecosystem health, and sustainable livestock production. Beef chili served by Routt County CattleWomen.

Cost: Free

Presented by: Routt County CattleWomen

Summit to Shelf: Scaling Food and Ag Businesses on the West Slope



When: Monday, October 5 | 11AM–4PM

Where: La Plata County Fairgrounds, Animas Meeting Room, Durango, CO

What: A workshop for food, beverage, and agriculture entrepreneurs focused on building business skills, connecting with mentors, and growing value-added brands. Includes an optional founder showcase and networking event.

Cost: $50 ($75 after early registration). Includes lunch, workshop, and one-year Naturally Colorado membership.

Colorado Agricultural Stewardship Tax Credit


What: A refundable tax credit for agricultural producers who implement qualifying stewardship practices on their farms and ranches. Applications are first-come, first-served.

When: Applications open November 16 at 10AM

Info Sessions: October 8 | 6PM & October 14 | 10AM

More: Learn about the program and register for a webinar

Ranching for Profit: Fundamentals 1-Day Workshop


When: Saturday, October 10 | 9AM

Where: Hayden Center, 495 W. Jefferson Ave., Hayden

What: A one-day workshop covering ag-business fundamentals including finance, accounting, and leadership, featuring Dallas Mount of Ranching for Profit. Includes lunch and an optional afternoon tour of Carpenter Ranch Preserve.

Cost: $50 | $20 for each additional family member/successor

Register: https://bit.ly/4hWnRyO with your name and preferred contact information.

Colorado Agricultural Behavioral Health Summit



When: October 15–16, 2026

Where: Morgan Community College, Founders Room, Fort Morgan, CO

What: A two-day summit bringing together agricultural communities, rural leaders, behavioral health providers, and organizations to strengthen behavioral health connections across rural Colorado.

Cost: $25, includes 4 meals. Producers attend free; CEUs available at no extra cost.

Register: Learn more and register

Routt County Land Stewardship Class



When: Thursday, October 15 | 5:30–8PM & Saturday, October 17 | 9AM–4:15PM

Where: STARS Ranch, 35455 E US Highway 40, Steamboat Springs

What: A two-part course covering agricultural assessment, water, weeds, forestry, rangeland management, conservation easements, and land and water resiliency in Routt County. Real estate agents can earn 7hrs of continuing ed credits.

Cost: $75 non-credit | $125 with continuing education credits

Register: https://bit.ly/4y0siO2

New Tools & Tech for a Thirsty West



When: Tuesday, October 20 | 5:30PM

Where: Bud Werner Memorial Library, 1289 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs

What: A panel discussion on the future of water in the Yampa Valley, featuring local water leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators discussing drought resilience, emerging technologies, water policy, and solutions for agriculture and communities.

Presented by: Routt County Farm Bureau

Northwest Colorado Equine Seminar



When: Wednesday, October 21 | 5:30–7PM

Where: Routt County Fair & Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 390 S. Poplar St., Hayden

What: A free equine seminar with CSU Equine Extension Specialist Dr. Devan Catalano covering horse nutrition, forage quality, feeding challenges and solutions, and emergency planning basics. Dinner provided.

Cost: Free

Register: tinyurl.com/RouttMoffatEquine

Drought: Learn from 2026 & Prepare for What’s Ahead


When: Tuesday, October 27 | 5:30–8:30PM

Where: Board of County Commissioners Hearing Room, 522 Lincoln Ave., 3rd Floor, Steamboat Springs

What: Topics include livestock sale tax implications, business strategies for rebuilding or selling, grants and preparedness programs, and practical actions for producers.

Cost: Free

Register: Register here

Cottage Food Update Classes


When: October 9, October 30 & November 14

Where: Virtual; November 14 also offered in person in Steamboat

What: Required for current CSU Cottage Food Safety certificate holders, this update covers 2027 changes to the Colorado Cottage Foods Act, including new requirements and eligible foods.

Cost: $10

Register: October 9 | October 30 | November 14

 

Articles from Our Ag Partners

 

🧷 Soil Health Field Day continues Yampa Valley’s agricultural legacy

Kathleen Voight - Routt County Conservation District, Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust

 

🧷 Prop 137 — for Colorado land and water

Josh Hankes - Routt County Wildfire Mitigation Council

 

🧷 Will the leaf show be less this year?

Aaron Richards - Colorado State Forest Service

 

Grant & Funding Opportunities

 

Restore Grants by Zero Foodprint

When: Applications are open now through November 4 at midnight

Award Decisions: Mid-December

What: Restore grants support eligible conservation practices that help farms and ranches reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration.

Info Session: October 20

Register for the info session

Diversion Infrastructure Improvement Project funding

UYWCD is has allocated an additional $50K in Diversion Infrastructure Improvement Project funding for headgate or measuring device construction or replacement for water users within the UYWCD boundary. Installation must occur from the point of diversion.

Applicants can apply for a 50% reimbursement of project costs, up to $5,000. Reach out to Courtney Lynn if you have questions about funding for your diversion infrastructure project. Learn more about this grant program here.

UYWCD Community Grant Funding Program

The UYWCD Community Grant Fund was established to support projects that align with the UYWCD mission to conserve, protect, develop, and enhance the water resources of the Upper Yampa River Basin. The UYWCD Board allocated $200,000 in the 2026 budget to assist with local projects. Learn more about this grant program here

Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP)

The USDA FSA’s ELAP offers emergency aid to livestock producers for losses from adverse weather, including extra costs for transporting water, feed, or livestock due to drought.



To apply for 2026, file a Notice of Loss with the Routt-Jackson-Grand-Summit County FSA in Steamboat Springs by calling 970-439-3260 or emailing SM.SA.CO.Routt@usda.gov, submit related records, and complete an Application for Payment by March 1, 2027. Don’t wait! File your Notice of Loss as soon as you start hauling.

Wool Quality Improvement Program


Supported by the National Center for Appropriate Technology.


The program will work with 100 wool producers until March 31, 2028, providing funding and technical support to implement practices, improve fiber quality, and develop market-ready wool and wool products. 

Ag Drought Resilience Grant - Request for Applications


Cost-share and technical support to lead and test scalable, on-farm strategies, such as alternative crops, strategic water conservation, or salt-affected field restoration, that reduce water use and increase resilience to diminished water supplies.


There is no deadline to apply.

Funding Available for Mule Deer Habitat


The Mule Deer Foundation is offering cost-share and technical assistance to improve mule deer and wildlife habitat while strengthening grazing systems. Eligible projects include fencing, water infrastructure, grazing management, riparian restoration, and invasive species control.


For information contact: CAA or Casey Nordine

casey@muledeer.org | 605-209-6804

 

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors for making the work we do possible!

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