Valley Food Partnership

10/10/2026

WOW! We’re so excited. Hope to see you there.

Meet the Roots of Renewal 2027 keynote speakers!
We’re excited to welcome Ben Hartman, farmer and author of The Lean Farm, and Fernando Falomir, rancher and regenerative ag consultant, to Montrose for Roots of Renewal 2027!

This year’s theme is Applied Strategies for Climate Resilience, and our keynote speakers will approach that challenge from two different but complementary perspectives.

🥕 Ben Hartman will bring his experience with lean farming principles and challenge us to think differently about efficiency: how can producers eliminate waste, simplify their operations, make better use of limited resources, and build farms that are both productive and profitable?

🐂 Fernando Falomir will take us onto the ranch, exploring how grazing management, soil health, and better water capture can help producers build more productive and drought-resilient pastures.
What connects them is exactly what we look for in Roots of Renewal speakers: practical experience, innovative thinking, and ideas producers can take home and put to work.

And you’ll have the opportunity to go deeper. Both Ben and Fernando will lead two-hour workshops in addition to their keynote presentations, creating more time for practical learning and discussion.

📅 January 22–23, 2027
📍 Montrose Pavilion | Montrose, Colorado

We can’t wait to welcome them to the Western Slope—and we’re just getting started revealing what’s in store for 2027. 🌾

Valley Food Partnership

10/10/2026

🥕🍲 Preparations are underway for our 4th Annual Stone Soup Community Lunch, Saturday, October 10, 11am-1pm at the Montrose Farmers Market!

Over the past few days, our team has been shopping, chopping, stirring, and cooking alongside dedicated volunteers to bring this community tradition to life. What starts with a collection of simple, local ingredients becomes something much bigger: a shared meal, meaningful connections, and a celebration of the power of community.

We can't wait to gather around the table with you soon. Join us tomorrow for some yummy meat or vegetarian soup, bread, and salad! See you at the market!

10/08/2026

It turns out Spring and Summer got away from us, but we weren't about to let Autumn pass by without a newsletter! 🍂. Just click on the link below.

Take a look at our latest update, featuring reflections on the year so far, a link to our 2025 annual report, and a few upcoming events we'd love to share with you.

Want these updates delivered straight to your inbox? You can subscribe on our website.

https://valleyfoodpartnership.org/new-page-1

10/08/2026

We're starting to get pretty excited 🤸🤩💃 over here for our 4th annual Stone Soup Community Lunch, this Saturday, 11am-1pm! The menu is set ✍, local ingredients are purchased 🍞🌶, and we've ordered the bowls 🍵and spoons 🥄. BUT, none of this would be possible without our amazing sponsors , Montrose Community Foundation, and Hilltop Family Resource Center. Big shout out to these partners for showing up to help us connect local agriculture and local food! Come see us at the Montrose Farmers' Market on Saturday for a complimentary meal and to join us in experiencing the power of food to build community!

10/07/2026

Ever wondered how to preserve the abundance of the harvest? 🥕🌽🥔🍅🍆Fermentation is one of the oldest and tastiest ways to make that abundance last!

Join us to learn how simple ingredients can become flavorful, probiotic-rich foods that support gut health and reduce food waste.

Whether you're drowning in garden vegetables or just curious about fermentation, this hands-on workshop in Montrose, CO will send you home with new skills, 2 jars of fermented local veggies, and a better appreciation for the power of fermentation. You'll also get to taste a range of fermented foods featuring unique ingredients and preparation methods.

Turn today's harvest into tomorrow's healthy snack! Register here: https://valleyfoodpartnership.org/fermentation-workshop

10/05/2026

Rooted Together: Learning, Networking, & Partnerships for Farm to School Success

Nourish Colorado is the Training and Technical Assistance Provider for the statewide Local Food Program, and they invite you to join them at one (or multiple) "Rooted Together" events happening on Fridays, from Oct 23rd through Dec 11th!

As a producer, when considering which event(s) to register for, think about your delivery range and/or the delivery range of any intermediaries you may work. For our school district attendees, please join us at whichever location seems closest for you.

Valley Food Partnership is looking forward to attending the November 6th gathering in Glenwood Springs.

October 23rd - Greeley, CO - Greeley-Evans Weld School District 6 Central Production Kitchen
October 30th - Ignacio, CO - Ignacio Middle School
November 6th - Glenwood Springs, CO - Glenwood Springs High School
November 13th - Alamosa, CO - Alamosa Middle School
December 4th - Pueblo, CO - Pueblo D60 School
December 11th - Aurora, CO - Food Bank of the Rockies

This gathering will be a chance for school meal operators to glean success stories and strategies from their peers on how to grow and or expand their farm to school efforts. It will also be a chance for producers to meet with school meal buyers and also learn more about how school meal programs work, procurement timelines, and strategies for accessing K12 markets and meeting the increased demand. There will be plenty of time to network, connect with resources and partners in your region, and even learn a few culinary tips and tricks for weaving local foods into school menus in a way that works for your operation.

For more information or to register:

https://forms.clickup.com/9013769590/f/8cm6dbp-14873/WNAVWIT980PDN09EIY

10/03/2026

We’re here at Southwest Fresh Fest Billy Goat Hop Farm getting our local food tasting ready … come on down and see us & have a tasty b**r while you’re at.

10/03/2026

We're looking forward to heading out to , Billy Goat Hop Farm, LLC for their 5th annual Southwest Fresh Fest (it's our 5th year too!). We are honored to sponsor this amazing event, supporting Chris and Audrey, Unc. Valley's fun-loving, hardworking farmers😀. As part of our sponsorship, we serve up local food tastings. Given the prolific nature of basil this year, this will be the highlight of our dish. And, as always, we're partnering with Blue Grouse Bread and their yummy breads. Get your tickets now and come join us to drink b**r made from Billy Goat's local hops, food from local vendors, and move and groove to live music. Hope to see you down at the hop yard! 🤸💃💃🤩

09/29/2026

Hey, are you a farmer looking for support for your land stewardship practices? The Colorado Department of Agriculture is preparing to open up a tax credit application for the practice of qualified stewardship practices on a farm or ranch, including any practice that: 1) increases soil health, 2) improves water efficiency, or 3) creates more diverse and beneficial ecosystems while maintaining the productivity of the farm or ranch. Applications will open in October with the final submission date of November 16, 2026 at 10am. There are also a couple of webinars coming up to learn more: https://ag.colorado.gov/ag-stewardship-tax

09/29/2026

There's a few offerings we want to let our area farmers and ranchers know about around agritourism. First off, there is new funding that will become available through a partnership with American Farmland Trust and Airbnb. Check out the link below for more information:
https://www.morningagclips.com/airbnb-announces-farm-to-stay-grant-program-to-promote-farmer-led-tourism/

Secondly, there is some new research released around agritourism and there will be a webinar to share those findings, Agritourism: Understanding Benefits, Challenges and Needs throughout the USA. Register below:
https://uvm-edu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pdwrFpHYSyGRWF9xhiveUw #/registration

WASHINGTON — From pig cuddling in rural Texas, to a vegetable farm stay in Missouri, and an Alpine goat hike in Maine, the demand for...