Rocky Mountain Farmers Union

Put people first. If Ballot Initiative 309, the Slaughterhouse Ban, passes in Denver, countless farmers, ranchers, and others in the food system will face devastating impacts. The ban would also cause 160 employee-owners to lose their careers and business. We stand with our people in Colorado and beyond and urge Denver voters to vote no on 309.

Thank you to all our hardworking farmers who toil to keep our nation fed, fueled, clothed, and more! Happy National Farmer's Day!

Time is running out to nominate a current or past RMFU Fellow for the 2024 Fellows Excellence in Leadership & Service Award, sponsored by American AgCredit! This award honors an RMFU Fellow who has demonstrated personal growth, provides leadership within various communities, and is an advocate for agriculture. Know someone who fits that description? Nominate them today at rmfu.org/what-we-do/fellows-award/

Deadline to submit a nomination is October 1!

This was such a great event! We are still so impressed by Colorado State University AgNext and all their research on sustainable solutions for animal production!

THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

Registration for the 2024 Annual RMFU Convention is OPEN. We cannot wait to see you all in Colorado Springs! The deadline to register is October 31. Register today at
rmfu.org/2024-annual-convention/

Such great news out of New Mexico! We love seeing this support for family farmers and ranchers!

The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is searching for its next Director of the Conservation Services Division. This director will lead critical work in climate change mitigation and resilience, including leading Colorado’s Soil Health program, biocontrol research, and overseeing the Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office (ADCRO). In addition to providing strategic guidance and leadership for division staff, this position also works on environmental issues that advance Colorado agriculture, including federal lands, wildlife, and water quality policies.

Learn more and apply using the link below:

CDA - Conservation Services Division Director Who we are:Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be...

And that's a wrap on the 2024 NFU Legislative Fly-In! Our week was packed with outstanding meetings with leaders from Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. A huge thank you to all those who took the time to meet with us and listen to us share the voices of our farmers and ranchers.

Want to read more about our adventures in Washington D.C.? Look out for the September Digital Newsletter, coming soon!

We support individuals' choice of foods. We DO NOT support forcing out an employee-owned facility that supplies local foods to our community. We firmly stand against Ballot Initiative 309, the Slaughterhouse Ban, as it is wrong for our farmers and ranchers, wrong for consumers, wrong for the economy, and wrong for the environment.



Image: A food truck worker stands by her food truck, one of many vendors who sell Superior Farms meat. Photo credit: Katrina Hajagos

Honoring those who lost their lives and those who fought to protect others. Though 23 years have passed, we will never forget.

We had a fantastic meeting today with Senator Michael Bennet during the National Farmers Union Legislative Fly-In. Thank you for taking the time to listen to us as we share the voices of our family farmers and ranchers!

With a few events already passed, September is a BUSY month! Be sure to check out our website and stay up-to-date on all the activities happening in your county! Find all the events at rmfu.org/upcoming-events/

Your RMFU Team is headed to Washington D.C. to advocate for our family farmers and ranchers! This packed trip is full of meetings, hearings, and other opportunities to share our grassroots voices. Read all about National Farmers Union priorities at https://bit.ly/4dTTAwi.

One vital responsibility of our RMFU members is helping shape the RMFU Bylaws, which formalize our rules, procedures, and structure. They determine who in our organization will have decision-making power and what steps must be taken to make a decision. Members can recommend changes to the bylaws each year before the annual convention. The deadline to submit these changes is September 23. Learn more about changing our bylaws here: https://rmfu.org/changing-our-rmfu-bylaws/

Come see us and Range Community Insurance this Friday and grab yourself a free root beer float! See you in Laramie!

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union strongly opposes the proposed slaughterhouse ban in Denver. Passing this initiative would harm consumers, producers, the local economy, and the agricultural industry. This measure targets a single employee-owned facility whose closure would result in the loss of ownership stake and financial stability for the employee-owners. The negative impacts of this ban would largely land on the hard-working shoulders of Denver's minority communities, causing job losses, increased food costs, and reduced market opportunities for producers.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture seeks a driven individual to fill the farmer/rancher seat on the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission, also known as the Safety Commission. This group advises on best practices and future policies regarding work around subsurface utilities such as water pipes, sewer pipes, electrical conduits, gas pipes, and fiber conduits. Applications are due this Saturday, August 31! Learn more and apply at https://bit.ly/3X3x9xu

There's still time to nominate a past or current fellow for the Excellence in Leadership and Service Award, presented by RMFU and American Ag Credit! Learn more and nominate a fellow by October 1st at https://bit.ly/46bTixq

Do you have large animals (horses, goats, llamas, sheep, etc.)? Or are you interested in helping your neighbors in a fire, flood, or other disaster?

We invite you to join us for our Farm/Ag Animal Emergency Preparedness Event at 5 Fridges Farm! RSVP to [email protected]. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4e1V6w2.

Sponsored by Wheat Ridge City Council District III and RMFU

A little for your Monday morning from our San Luis Valley Chapter! All had a great time at the SLV Fair Livestock Sale BBQ hosted by the RMFU SLV Chapter with proceeds benefiting the local 4-H! We proudly served over 500 community members with Colorado and locally grown products. Big thanks to our volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible: CSU Extension SLV, FUSA Insurance Daren Bolt Agency, Valley Meat Co, Dos Rios Restaurant, Tuxedo Corn, White Rock Farms, Norma Gomez and Jesus Flores of Rio Grande Farm Park, SLV Ice, Valley Roots Food Hub, Top Value, and Monte Vista Co-op.

Join Larimer County Farmers Alliance on Thursday, September 5, for their Policy Fest! Hear all about RMFU policies and share your thoughts - we want to know what challenges you face as farmers and ranchers! Find more information at larimercountyfarmers.org/lcfaevents

Exciting News!

Join the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union - Co-op Center and the Colorado Employee Ownership Committee on Thursday, October 17th, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the CSU Spur Campus for a fantastic celebration of Colorado’s vibrant employee ownership community!

Network with fellow employee-owned businesses
Enjoy complimentary bites from Edible Beats (a 100% ESOP restaurant group)
Sip on non-alcoholic beverages at our cash bar
Celebrate with special guests, an award ceremony, and a brief program

Don’t miss this chance to connect, celebrate, and be inspired!
The event is free. Register here - https://bit.ly/3WQyYO3

It's here folks! The 2024 Redline Policy Book for the Annual Convention. Here is your chance to really share your voice and shape RMFU by providing feedback, opinions, and thoughts on the proposed policies for 2024. Each of our policies will be debated, voted on, and adopted by our Annual Convention Delegates. Find the redline Policy Book at https://bit.ly/3yI4QfO

Calling all county chapters, it's that time of year again. Be sure to schedule your county convention! Contact your Membership Coordinator and get this on the calendar!

Remember...the 2024 Annual RMFU Convention is November 22-23. We hope to see you there!

Meet Ulla Metz of Bookcliff Farms one of the Farm Labor Stabilization Pilot program grant recipients! 40 acres of vineyards growing 14 different wine grape varieties - learn more about the operation and Ulla's story at https://bit.ly/3YvHSTA

U.S. Department of Agriculture Colorado Department of Agriculture National Farmers Union