agriculture

This week’s Farm News & Views Report covers fertilizer price volatility, possible new federal farm payments and rancher concerns about labor shortages in responding to New World screwworm.

A new pilot program will bring fresh, locally grown produce to food pantries in Montezuma and Dolores counties and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Nation, while giving a local farmer a more dependable market for his crops.

Students may be out of school, but the Mancos School Garden keeps growing. Volunteers help maintain crops that support education and local food banks.

The Pantry Produce Share Program will provide fresh, locally grown produce to food pantries in Montezuma and Dolores counties and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Nation. In Dolores, the library district board has voted to terminate Executive Director Sean Gantt’s contract after discussing a third-party workplace assessment.

Colorado has issued emergency animal movement rules for New World screwworm, while researchers say the Four Corners’ dry climate and cold winters make a local infestation less likely.

Municipal supplies are protected, but Dolores Water Conservancy District says full-service supplies out of McPhee Reservoir are at extreme shortages this year.

New World screwworm cases, high beef prices, weak grain markets and rising debt costs are adding pressure to U.S. farmers, ranchers and rural economies.

New World screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico, rising fertilizer costs and lower projected farm income are adding pressure for U.S. agricultural producers.

Traditional forms of therapy don't work for everyone. Carbondale-based nonprofit WindWalkers offers horse-assisted services to fill that gap. This story is part of our "On the Ground" radio series, which highlights solutions to local and global issues from Roaring Fork and Colorado River valley organizations.

Bob Bragg’s Farm News & Views Report looks at how drought, high input costs, low commodity prices and rising financial pressure are affecting farmers and ranchers in the Four Corners and across the U.S.