Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden will provide one of the many highlights for the 2017 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture, when she steps up to the podium to deliver a presentation on an agricultural “future built by collaboration.” Harden, who currently serves as vice president of public policy and chief sustainability officer for DuPont, will share her perspective on the need for alliances with food, nutrition and conservation groups, as well as other non-traditional partners.

The Forum – taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, at the Renaissance Hotel in Denver – will also feature addresses from Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Colorado State University President Tony Frank and Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Don Brown, among many others.

Titled “Label It: Agriculture,” this year’s event will be an innovative and informative program, bringing together producers, consumers, experts and other ag stakeholders to peel back the polarizing rhetoric often found in today's society.

The Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program is proud to host the 26th annual Governor's Forum on Colorado Agriculture, this year titled "Label it: Agriculture," and focusing on a future built by collaboration. 

The event will take place Feb. 22 at the Renaissance Hotel in Denver, located at 3801 Quebec St.

This innovative and informative program will bring together producers, consumers, experts and other ag stakeholders to peel back the polarizing rhetoric often found in today's society. Stories can create divisive boundaries in agriculture between organic and conventional; urban and rural; large-scale and small-scale. 

The Forum will focus on the powerful history of collaboration and cooperation that has made agriculture in the state of Colorado the second largest driver of our economy. It will challenge and equip attendees to seek out novel alliances and ideas to benefit their own operations, the industry statewide, and beyond.

As they become available, details will be posted at  www.governorsagforum.com. 

​The Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP) is accepting applications from emerging leaders looking to further develop both their skills and their commitment to the future of Colorado’s agricultural and rural communities.
 
Sept. 30 is the deadline to apply for the next CALP class – which will consist of 12 seminars, running from February 2017 through February 2019.
 
Applications can be downloaded HERE
 
Throughout the state’s history, agricultural and rural people have significantly contributed to Colorado’s tapestry, and CALP enriches this culture through a hands-on, interactive program dedicated to producing graduates with the vision and commitment to lead change and ensure the sustainability of Colorado’s agricultural economies and rural communities.
 
Participants in the program travel the state, learning about agriculture in every region while also honing their personal leadership skills. As a culmination to the two-year program, the group also participates in an international trip to learn about agriculture in a foreign country, as well as about trade with that country and the U.S.
 
CALP and its supporters recruit enthusiastic Coloradoans committed to agriculture and rural Colorado, and those recognized as emerging leaders who are directly involved in ag, agribusiness, rural industries, rural communities or natural resource management. Individuals may be in the early or middle phase of their leadership careers, who are looking for that next level of training or experience. 
 
Interested individuals can apply on line HERE, or can call Cathy Calderwood at(303) 547-5963 for more information. 

Those wanting to attend the Governor's Forum on Colorado Agriculture at a reduced rate are in luck, as you have a little more time left to save on registration costs.
 
Rather than registration going up from $150 to $200 after today, event organizers are pushing the early registration deadline back a week, to Thursday, Feb. 11.
 
There’s no registration deadline for this year’s Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture, and in addition to saving by registering early, there are also discounted rates for students and alumni of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP).
 
The 2016 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture – titled “Next Generation Agriculture” – is set for 8 a.m. on Feb. 18, taking place at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel (3801 Quebec St). The event is open to the public and media. Anyone interested in attending can learn more and register at www.governorsagforum.com. 

​There’s no registration deadline for this year’s Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture, but anyone who does register by Thursday, Feb. 4, will save $50.
 
Registration for the annual event – now in its 25th year – will be $150 through Feb. 4, and then increases to $200 after that date.
 
The 2016 Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture – titled “Next Generation Agriculture” – is set for 8 a.m. on Feb. 18, taking place at the Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel (3801 Quebec St). The event is open to the public and media. Anyone interested in attending can learn more and register at www.governorsagforum.com. 

​When the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture takes place on Feb. 18, it will mark a milestone.
 
The annual event – which brings together local and state officials, farmers, ranchers, industry experts, lawmakers, media and consumers to discuss the most pertinent issues surrounding food production – is celebrating 25 years in 2016.
 
This year’s Forum is set for 8 a.m. on Feb. 18 at the Renaissance Denver Hotel (3801 Quebec St). Anyone interested in attending can learn more and register at www.governorsagforum.com.  

Twenty two participants have been chosen for the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program to comprise Class 12.

The two year program, led by the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program, is an intensive study of agriculture worldwide that equips people in the agriculture industry to become leaders in their fields.  "Participants will collaborate with others, and establish mentoring relationships with professionals serving agriculture and rural communities," said Angie Cue, Executive Director of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program.  

"Given the critical issues facing agriculture today, there is a need to provide an intensive leadership program to develop a new generation of leaders," said State Representative Jerry Sonnenberg, Board President of the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program.  

The course focuses on communications, government, policy, economics, social & cultural issues and change management.  Through the program, leaders will have the opportunity to travel internationally, nationally and statewide to extend their knowledge on the global agriculture industry.

The first session will begin February 25, 2015 in conjunction with the Governor's Forum on Colorado Agriculture.