For the fourth straight year, CSU is hosting a volunteer tree planting in April to recognize its designation as a Tree Campus USA – a status retained for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and communities in conversations about urban tree care.
CSU will celebrate faculty and staff having significant anniversaries on April 30 at the Celebrate! CSU Milestones event.
After three seasons growing in the challenging conditions of the Rocky Mountains, 10 perennial plants have been named "Top Performers" by researchers at Colorado State University.
[caption id="attachment_13153" align="alignright" width="281"]
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper highlights Colorado’s rise and prominence as an agricultural producer.[/caption]
“If you eat, you are a part of agriculture.”
This theme, and many others similar to it, were echoed at Colorado State University’s “Advancing the Agriculture Economy Through Innovation” summit held at the Lory Student Center, March 18-20.
Over 400 individuals attended the summit, co-presented by CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Office of Engagement, as sponsors, panelists, and attendees.
Leaders and innovators
Day one of the summit saw 21 agricultural leaders and industry innovators assembled at a leadership roundtable where they discussed issues such as meeting increased demand for food and educating consumers as to where their food comes from. The day ended with master class seminars focused on big data and climate smart agriculture that were delivered to standing-room only audiences.
The second day of the summit began with introductory remarks from CSU College of Agricultural Sciences Dean Craig Beyrouty who outlined some of the global challenges facing agriculture including reducing food waste, ensuring nutritional security, and making optimal use of the land.
[caption id="attachment_13156" align="alignright" width="300"]
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock discusses the strong partnership between the City and CSU.[/caption]
Importance of agriculture
CSU President and Interim Chancellor Tony Frank emphasized the importance of agriculture to Colorado’s economy, and that the summit was an opportunity to anticipate the future of agriculture, a future that will be impacted by CSU research and outreach.
The audience also heard from Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper. Hancock emphasized CSU’s strong partnership with the city of Denver highlighting the redevelopment of the National Western Stock Show complex as an example, while Hickenlooper noted Colorado’s rise and prominence as an agricultural producer, third only to Texas (five times the size of Colorado) and California (seven times the state of Colorado).
The future
[caption id="attachment_13157" align="alignright" width="276"]
CSU President Tony Frank highlights the importance of agriculture in Colorado.[/caption]
Moderated conversations figured prominently over the remainder of the summit as industry leaders discussed how their businesses have changed and what they see as agriculture’s future in the areas of:
CSU Associate Vice President for Engagement Kathay Rennels talks about the university's commitment to being a strong link in the agricultural value chain.[/caption]
The Advancing the Agriculture Economy Through Innovation summit was produced in partnership with Colorado State University Offices of the President, Provost, Vice President for Research, Vice President for External Relations, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College of Business and CSU Ventures. The event was supported by the Colorado Innovation Network (COIN) and Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA).
Media Assets
Temperatures in Denver plunged from the high 60s to minus 14 degrees over just four days, and as a result, many trees suffered needle and bud damage that will impact tree health this year.
The new Rural Energy Center will offer energy assessments and other services to Colorado's agricultural communities, mountain towns and smaller ciites.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper will welcome industry experts, scholars, producers and policy-makers to the 2015 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture this week at a daylong conference focusing water needs across the state of Colorado and the challenges created by increased demand for water from agriculture and consumers.
With the relocation of the greenhouses at the W.D. Holley Plant Environmental Research Center this summer, CSU will construct a state-of-the-art center for horticulture education and research adjacent to a popular community garden and federal research center.
Dean Singleton is best known for being the longtime publisher of the Denver Post, but it was his involvement in 4-H that recently earned him accolades from CSU. Singleton was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame on January 24.
The complexities of growing fresh and flavorful produce led to a collaborative project and the creation of the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (CFVGA). A conference for growers facing common and sometimes complex issues will be held Feb. 25 in Denver. A conference for those interested in these topics will be held Feb. 25 in Denver.