Montrose - Daily Press

MONTROSE  — A new program through CSU Extension is a method to fuel people's interest in farming — having them explore it as a business and learn from those who have made it their life.

The Colorado Building Farmers Program is a series of eight evening classes where new farmers can learn from experienced farmers, providing the tools and ideas to refine and enhance their business management, production and marketing skills.

It was designed by Colorado State University Extension and is coming to the Tri-River area through supplemental funding through a grant from the Western Center for Risk Management Education.

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Registration ends Sept. 7 and classes begin Oct. 14 and run through Dec. 4. The end result is a the design of a business plan, and those that complete one are eligible for a mentorship in the 2010 crop year.

"The new farmer who qualifies will be paired with one person whose operation resembles the goals of the new farmer," Ed Page, CSU Tri-River small acreage management and CRD agent, said.

The goal of the program is to build individual farmer's capacity and enhance the community for local agriculture producers, he said.

"Even in an area like Montrose where we are surrounded by very productive farm land, you find that well less than 3 percent of our food is grown locally ... that means that the community is not really food secure," Page said.

Fourth generation farmer, Steve Ela of Ela Family Farms near Hotchkiss, is participating in the the program as an "experienced farmer." He believes there are several good reasons to spark peoples' interest in farming.

"It's like any occupation you go into. You go to school for it and there is a lot to learn and a lot that is not always apparent," he said. "This class gives people a small dose on what they need to know to start farming. ... It is important that people know what they are going up against. It is a business and it take time, money, effort and markets."

Ela is right, Page said. The average age of farmers in the U.S. continues to rise and is around 55 years old. In Colorado, that average is around 57.

Some reasons for the older generation, Page said, is that land and the cost of farming equipment is higher then ever. Younger generations are choosing not to get into the business, changing the trends of a once common family farming tradition.

Older farmers are also finding that their land is worth more to those not in farming.

"When it is time for them to retire, that is often their retirement," Page said.

But on the Western Slope, with a wide diversity of farming, some farmers are finding a niche and working the local market instead of the large, competitive commodity market. It is those farmers that this program is geared towards, Page said.

"(Western Slope) has got organic production and a lot of growers. That is a niche and something to be proud of," Ela said. He farms 100 acres of 100 percent certified organic from pears to tomatoes.

Honing in on the local market is important, both Ela and Page explained. If not for the food security, but for the recycle of money through the community. It is said that money spent locally is recycled about seven times, Ela said.

Page said he is seeing more people interested in farming, some young, but also those semi-retired.

"One in 20 might have a farming background, but most do not, so that is the reason we are trying to get this program going," he said.

The program includes sessions on getting started, business planning, financing, land, labor and marketing, recordkeeping, leasing and equipment.

New farmers will be learning from experienced farmers, as well as business professionals. Page said he'd like to have a minimum of 20 involved in the program, with as many as 25.

"This program thrives with participation from farmers of all levels of experience," he said.

Application and registration forms with credit card payment is available online at www.tririverarea.org or by request at (970) 249-3935. The cost to new farmers is $160 for eight session ($240 for two with one set of handouts); and $80 for experienced farmers ($25 a la carte). The Tri-River Area Extension serves Montrose, Delta, Mesa and Ouray counties.

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