Agriculture

The Grassland Conservation Reserve Program allows the Farm Service Agency to pay ranchers to protect grasslands. But the program is facing significant cuts, which can harm wildlife habitat.

US Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins unveiled plans for a “complete reorganization of the USDA.” Thousands of USDA jobs in D.C. will be relocated to five new regional hubs, including one in Fort Collins.

 The federal government abruptly canceled funding for Climate Smart Agriculture in April. The move cut millions of dollars for important scientific research into how farmers can adapt to climate change.

Federal money for solar projects, especially for smaller rural farms, could be at risk as Congress attempts to pass a federal budget through reconciliation. Small farms in the Mountain West could lose out on those benefits.

Imagine being able to tell the vegetables in your garden when to ripen. Researchers at Colorado State University say they’re developing genetic “toggle switches” for plants that would let people control when and how their crops grow.

Students in rural northwestern Colorado, where ranching and hunting are a way of life, are learning the mechanics of processing meat to help the ag industry. Listen to "Morning Edition" host Michael Lyle, Jr. discuss this story with Colorado Sun reporter Erica Breunlin and the read the Colorado Sun story at the link below.

If you’ve ever dreamed about picking a sweet, fuzzy peach right off your very own Palisade peach tree – well, we have some good news and some bad news. While it is possible to grow a peach tree on the Front Range, plant experts from the CSU extension say there are a lot of pitfalls to be aware of before you plant one.

With new townhouses open and apartments coming online this autumn, the work commutes of hundreds of employees will drastically shorten. Listen to "Morning Edition" host Michael Lyle, Jr. discuss this story with Colorado Sun reporter Michael Booth and then read The Colorado Sun story at the link below.

A program that offers mental health resources and support to farmers and ranchers in Colorado is on hold, after the Trump administration froze funding for it. We discuss the impact the program has had in the agriculture community, the unique stresses that farmers and ranchers face -- and what happens next.

The sheep industry could be a small bright spot amid Trump tariff-imposed pain for Colorado agriculture.