The Beginnings of Agriculture in Colorado Agriculture in what is now Colorado began to take shape in the early 1850s, during a time when much of the region was considered inhospitable to farming. Settlers entering the area faced dry conditions, unpredictable weather, and a landscape that earned the nickname “The Great American Desert.” Despite these challenges, early pioneers were determined …
Colorado Irrigation: How Greeley Transformed Western Agriculture
The Birth of Agriculture in Greeley Greeley became Colorado’s first major agricultural settlement, marking a turning point in the development of farming across the state. Early settlers arrived with optimism but quickly encountered a harsh and unforgiving environment. At the time, much of the region was labeled the “Great American Desert,” a term used to describe the dry, unpredictable conditions …
Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of Every Acre
With rising costs of production, it’s critical for growers to get the most out of every single acre. Valley Irrigation has some solutions for growers to consider and we sat down with Nicholas Scates with Valley Irrigation to learn more. Scates said, “As you know, many farms, both big and small, have irregularly shaped or smaller fields that traditional pivots haven’t …
Harriet Strong: Visionary Behind Hoover Dam and Water Conservation
Harriet Strong: Pioneer of Water Conservation and the Vision Behind Hoover Dam A Visionary for Water Management In 1885, Harriet Strong conducted a groundbreaking study on water shortages in Nevada, focusing on both flood control and water storage. At a time when the American West faced scarce water resources, Strong recognized that effective management could transform agriculture and regional development. …
Valent USA Shares How Conservation Efforts Matter For Agriculture Producers
Valent USA Emphasizes Conservation Practices That Deliver Results for Growers Conservation practices continue to play an increasingly important role in modern agricultural production, especially as growers face tighter margins and rising input costs. To learn more about how conservation and profitability can work together, we caught up with Tiffany Dean, Vice President of Sustainable Solutions with Valent USA, to discuss …
NCBA Shares Thoughts on WOTUS Codification
NCBA Discusses EPA WOTUS Rule Changes and Potential for Codifying New Language With recent WOTUS rule changes being rolled out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), questions remain across rural America about what the updated definition of Waters of the United States means for producers—and whether these changes could be locked in for the future. To better understand the implications, …
NCBA Shares Perspective on Recently Released WOTUS Rule
NCBA Responds to Newly Released WOTUS Rule: What Producers Need to Know The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is responding to the federal government’s newly released Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, and according to Mary Thomas Hart, NCBA’s Chief Counsel, the updated definition reflects an important shift toward clarity and practicality for agricultural landowners. Hart explained that the …
Florida Ag Commissioner Announces Funding For Ag Water Resource Projects
Applications Open for $25 Million Florida Agricultural Regional Projects Program Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced the opening of the application process for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Agricultural Regional Projects Program. This initiative provides $25 million in grant funding to support regional, collaborative agricultural water resource projects that improve both water quality and …
New Clean Water Rule to clarify WOTUS Definition and Conform with SCOTUS Sackett Ruling
Trump Administration Set to Propose New Clean Water Act Rule, Rolling Back Wetlands Protections The Trump administration is preparing to propose a new Clean Water Act rule that may eliminate federal protections for many wetlands across the United States, according to an internal EPA presentation obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News. “Under the proposed rule, the federal government would regulate wetlands …
Evolution of Irrigation in American Agriculture
The Roots of Irrigation In today’s American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold sheds light on the long and fascinating history of irrigating cropland. While modern systems are sophisticated and efficient, the practice of irrigation dates back thousands of years. Ancient farmers in Asia and Africa were among the first to manipulate water for agriculture, devising rudimentary yet effective techniques to …










