PROGRAMS
CAA MICRO LOAN PROGRAM
Current application period is open till May 31, 2022.
Launched in 2019, CAA is proud of this new and innovative program, focused on providing financial support for local agriculture with business micro loans in NW Colorado. The program was funded by an initial generous donor with a $10,000 gift to begin the revolving loan fund and all donors are invited to contribute to this impactful program.
A Committee of CAA Board members will accept and review applications with a goal of providing short term, micro loans for local agriculture. Loan terms and amounts will be based on specific project details. Basic information and eligibility specifics below:
- Must be existing agriculture business or operation, with a special interest in food production
- Must be 18 years old, or have adult co-signer
- Must adhere to CAA Anti-Discrimination Policy and be current CAA member
- Loan exclude general operating, land purchase or lease; applications should focus on specific need or project
- Loans are small (under $10,000) and short term (3 months to 2 years) with interest rate of 2.5%
- Repayment of loans will go back into CAA Micro Loan fund
If you have a loan need, please contact Michele Meyer at 970-879-4370.
Some project ideas to consider:
- Solar pump for livestock watering
- Seed cover crops for rangeland or eriosion control
- Planting trees for water control, wind and/or animal habitat
- New or upgraded gate on existing head gate for improved water control
- Fencing or electric fence for cross fencing
- new spray nozzles or boom for better application and reduced drift
If you are interested in learning more about this program, contact us. And if you would like to make an investment in local agriculture, this program is a unique way to directly impact local producers. You can donate using the Donate button on the homepage and simply note that you would like the contribution to go to the CAA Micro Loan Fund. Thank you!
WATER EDUCATION
CAA works to support, educate and promote the goals of the Yampa-White-Green Basin Round Table and Colorado Water Conservation Board:
1. Raise public awareness of the YWG Basin Implementation Plan and the Colorado’s Water Plan
2. Raise public awareness of YWG Roundtable activities
3. Plan, implement and facilitate a series of Water Education Forums/Workshops/Tours in Craig, Meeker, Rangely and Steamboat
4. Increase collaborations and partnerships with other YWG basin organizations that wish to:
- Promote water education
- Encourage locally driven collaborative solutions
- Encourage community participation in solution based discussions, issues and solutions
- Provide professional, informative and educational activities in the region
- Provide information on regional water projects, studies and related issues
- Engage with area water interest groups to encourage constructive discussions and actions regarding water issues and projects in Northwest Colorado
LOCAL FOOD & PRODUCTS
NORTHWEST COLORADO FOOD COALITION
CAA partners with several other local/regional organizations on the Northwest Colorado Food Coalition. The NW CO Food Coalition is a broad based, diverse group. The mission is to facilitate communication, collaboration and integrate solutions among individuals and organizations to develop and sustain a resilient food system in NW Colorado. The Coalitions vision is to be recognized as the leader in assuring the NW Colorado community has equitable access to a resilient food system. Quarterly meetings are open to the public.
Partnering organizations include:
- CSU Routt County Extension
- LiveWell Colorado
- Yampa Valley Sustainability Council
- Lift-Up
- Rout County Department of Human Services
- School Wellness Teams
- Rocky Mountain Youth Corp
- Colorado Mountain College
- Routt County Environmental Health Dept
- Yampatika
- Northwest Colorado Health
Some highlights of the Coalition work include a regional Food Assessment report and Community Food Dialogue.
LOCAL FOOD TASKFORCE
LiveWell Colorado and NW Food Coalition Routt County Food Assessments:
ADDITIONAL LOCAL FOOD RESOURCES
- Cottage Food Brochure
- Cottage Food Act – ServSafe® Certification Information
- Colorado Farm to Market is an informative and helpful site. This is a cooperative effort between CSU Extension, CO Dept of Agriculture and the Farmers Market Association. You can find out more about the Cottage Food Bill and bringing products to market.
- Colorado Farm to Table is another site with great information.
- Routt County Environmental Health
- Routt County Roots, a local video series highlighting local agriculture and food in Routt County. Created and produced by CMC student, Ben Saheb.
YAMPAVORE CAA MARKET
Be a Yampavore and shop for local food and products on our online market!
You can find everything from farm fresh eggs, to locally raised beef, pork and lamb meat. Seasonal vegetables, fresh baked bread and local honey.
Make a difference by supporting local farmers and ranchers and join the Yampavore movement!
LAND STEWARDSHIP CLASS
Course will be offered
Fall 2022
More information about out fall classes coming soon.
A partnership between Community Agriculture Alliance and CSU Routt County Extension, this highly educational short course is for anyone interested in learning more about local agriculture and the basics of land stewardship.
Typically held every other year, this unique, short course focuses on land, water and natural resource stewardship. Course information focuses on issues effecting NW Colorado and features regional experts as topic speakers. Includes a mix of class room lecture and discussion and on-site tours/visits. The class is open to anyone in the community and is focused on new land owners/community members who want to learn more.
Course curriculum is based on the Living on the Land-Stewardship for Small Acreage courses produced by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension with collaborative efforts and input from our western states Cooperative Extension services. Land Stewardship 202 was developed and implemented for Routt County by the CAA and CSU Routt County Extension.
This course is approved for up to 12 Continuing Education Credits available for Real Estate professionals.
Curriculum Includes:
Basics of land stewardship
Grazing and ranching practics
Water rights and irrigation
Wildfire preparation and mitigation
Colorado fence laws
Routt County planning and zoning
Noxious weeds
Being a good neighbor
Comments from participants:
“Overall a great opportunity for us to learn.”
“I learned so much that will help me be a better land owner and neighbor. Thank you.”
“Fabulously informative”
“Great class. Topics and speakers were excellent.”
RANCH TOURS
Check Back Soon for Ranch Tour Information
Interested in taking a group on a private ranch or farm tour? Give us a call at 970-879-4370 and we can help arrange a tour for your group.
Pricing and availability vary.
FREEZER TRAILER & STORAGE
In 2021, CAA was choose as the Leadership Steamboat community impact project. The goal of this project was to support our local food system with needed infrastructure. The group fund raised and purchased a freezer storage unit for local meat producers to utilize as cooperative freezer storage. The project was successfully completed with a refurbished 40′ shipping container / freezer unit delivered to the Yampa Valley Electric property on Elk River Road (YVEA is generously donating the space to house the freezer unit). A mobile freezer trailer was also purchased and is available for local producers to borrow as they transport frozen meat. Secure professional storage is a critical piece of the local food system and helps support a growing interest in local meat production/sales.
For more information contact CAA Program Coordinator, Meredith Rose at meredith@communityagalliance.org
