Outlook Agriculture and Industry 2014

THURSDAY, February 20, 2014 MONTROSE, CO 81401 wwww.montrosepress.com

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n the realm of agriculture, e� ciency is king. Montrose and Olathe farmers are employing technology for tractor

guidance, product distribution and a bevy of other uses to keep them at the cutting edge come harvest time.

Kirk Smith, manager at Montrose’s U.S. Tractor and Harvest, said it has been about � ve years since the farm equipment dealer began o� ering smart devices, advanced mapping and guidance for tractors, among other products to help local producers increase e� ciency.

“We have a lot of things going on right now,” Smith said. “Guidance products are probably the biggest things in the valley.”

Tractor guidance systems allow farmers to lay geometrically precise rows through their � elds and keep their tractors driving those lines, pass by pass, year a� er year. � e accuracy of systems has progressed as the technology has developed. Early systems used GPS satellites to track equipment, but since then, Real Time Kinematics have taken over.

RTK bases utilize radio waves for a closer to the ground approach to � eld mapping and

guidance. � e results are near-futuristic. “� e accuracy is sub-inch, pass to pass,

year to year,” Smith said. For farmers, being able to track sub-inch

passes allows virtually no overlap and saves on time and expenses. It also eliminates the need for young farmers to learn to mark rows.

“You can work later at night, you get a straighter row, and it’s really hard to learn to mark the traditional way, but with this, just about anybody can drive the tractor,” said Greg Catlin, a Montrose farmer operating in the Maple Grove area.

Catlin and his father farm 800 acres each of sweet corn, pinto beans, green beans for seed and a few other products. � is season is Catlin’s third using a guidance system for his tractors, and the results are starting to show.

“We get a lot more done in a day than we did just the conventional way,” Catlin said.

Catlin also uses a guidance system for his sprayers, to distribute herbicides. With minimized overlap, Catlin said his expenses are reduced because his e� ciency is increased by the guidance tracking.

At Tuxedo Corn in Olathe, John Harold is

Technology Growing with GrowersAdvancing farm tech lands on Western Slope

By Drew Setterholm • Daily Press Staff Writer

Photo by Drew Setterholm/Daily PressA tractor with a guidance system receiver on the roof is capable of bringing technology into the � elds of Montrose farmers.

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Continued on next page

AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY

AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRYTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 20142

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Growing with Growers ...........1Farm technology advancements make work more effi cient for farmers

Farmers’ Market .....................3Indoor or outdoor, Montrose Farmers’ Market growing

Montrose Mainstays ..............4Flower, Flairmont and DeVinny all post at least fi ve decades of service

4-H on a Mission ....................6Goals of program stay the same, but it changes with the times

A Waiting Game .....................7Local immigrants tout benefi ts of possible immigration bill

FFA Changing Gears .............8Fewer students who participate have ag backgrounds

Calving is Tough ..................11Ranchers wear many hats from doctor to accountant

All About the Grapes ...........13Olathe vineyards part of growing interesting in wine

Future of Hemp ....................15What is in store for commercial cultivation?

using technology for a di� erent application. His irrigation drip system is buried under corn rows, but to be able to maintain the system, he has to know where to � nd it. With a tracking system on his tractor, Harold can map his subterranean irrigation “tape” and avoid disturbing it with regular activities.

While Harold doesn’t think the Western Slope has caught the Midwest in terms of technology applications, the technology in place in this area has had a noticeable impact on farm work.

“� ere’s no question about it,” Harold

said. “It’s amazing what they’ve done.” According to Smith, the devices making

their way into Montrose and Olathe � elds are “just the beginning” of what farm technology could look like in the future. A large portion of producers in the valley are already using guidance and other gadgets, and the rest will be soon to follow.

“� ey can make it pay for itself very quickly,” Smith said.

As long as that is the case, farmers are likely to continue moving into the technology world. •

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Photo by Drew Setterholm/Daily PressThe digital display in the tractor communicates with a receiver on the roof to provide accurate guidance.

Photo by Drew Setterholm/Daily PressA tractor gets a tune-up in the U.S. Tractor and Harvest shop in Montrose. It is equipped with guidance system technology for optimal performance.

Continued from page 1


AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2014 3

he Montrose Farmers’ Market has big plans for the coming season, and organizers hope it will be a season of

plenty — plenty of new growers, new buyers and new activities at the market.

A winter market has been running in the market’s new space at 514 South First Street, and new growers have joined the local food and artisan cra� scene this year. Market Manager Abbie Brewer hopes to continue that trend into the popular summer season.

“We’re really seeking out small growers who we can incubate the next few years in our market,” Brewer said.

In an e� ort to attract more consumers to the market, organizers will continue to bring in musicians and host markets with varying themes.

“� e next year we’re really going to continue on hosting those weekly events that we had and continue to support a fruit festival, a harvest festival and pollination week that we did last year, but increase the activities through the market on a week-by-week basis,” Brewer said.

Wade Nichols, a Farmers’ Market board member and Downtown Development Authority executive director, sees the market as an opportunity to draw shoppers to the downtown corridor, especially with the market’s great location.

“I’m looking forward to it. I think a farmers’ market is one of the best things for a downtown, and having a dedicated site here for it is a really positive thing,” Nichols said.

In planning for the season, Nichols said the board is expecting to see the market continue to grow.

“We do anticipate strengthening the numbers and the whole operation,” he said.

In similar work in other locations, Nichols said seeing a farmers’ market expand by one-third or even one-half in a season is not uncommon. Growth depends on the amount

of producers, consumers, promotions and education the market can attract.

Brewer is hoping to o� er newcomers to the business a chance to thrive, while keeping the market’s customer base strong.

“I think what (consumers) are really going to see, hopefully, is additional attractions like musicians, new names, new faces, and then the small growers,” she said. “We’re really focusing on trying to get small, younger growers to our market and helping them with their marketing e� orts.”

Being an incubator for small businesses is part of what the market thrives on.

“� at’s what we’re about, too, is really being a cost-e� ective place that they can sell their products. Our vendor space is pretty inexpensive and people can get into the business without a great overhead, and I think that’s really important to small business owners,” Brewer said.

� e summer market typically opens in mid-May, depending on weather conditions. Visitors should not expect to see a high volume of produce at the � rst market, though, Brewer said. Peak season for popular produce is in August and September, though some local favorites start appearing as early as June and July.

Keeping customers informed will be a focus for the market this year.

“We really want a component of not only incubating businesses, but also educating consumers,” Brewer said. “We can be the frontrunner when it comes to educating about locally produced, seasonal, really good food.”

Whether consumers are looking for fresh food, artisan cra� s or simply a way to get involved in the local movement, they will � nd all of those opportunities and more at the upcoming summer markets. Meanwhile, winter markets are still running. Hours and the market’s location are available online at www.localfoodmarketplace.com/montrose. •

More Growers, More Buyers

Montrose Farmers’ Market looking forward to new seasonBy Drew Setterholm • Daily Press Staff Writer

2014201420142014201420142014

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Courtesy photo Patrons of the Montrose Farmers’ Market explore new products and fresh fruits and vegetables at its new location on South First Street.

Courtesy photoThe Farmers’ Market o� ers a variety of items, including clothing.

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AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRYTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 20144 AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRYAGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY

50YEARS

In Business

Montrose MainstaysBy Marilyn Cox • Special to the Daily Press

“We still do business like my grandfather, one handshake at a time,” Fred Flower, senior partner of Flower Motor Company, said.

Fred’s great-grandfather was Sid Hartman who, along with his brother Joe, founded Hartman Brothers in 1904. � ey were the � rst in Montrose to sell and service automobiles, becoming the agency for Dodge Motor Company in 1915. In 1917, they obtained the Walter P. Chrysler franchise.

Sid and his wife, Mabel, had a son, Harold who was instrumental in keeping Hartman Brothers alive, and a daughter Julia who married L. F. Flower. Flower purchased Montrose Equipment in June, 1968, selling to his son Fred and wife, Noreen, a short time later. � ey sold International Harvester trucks and farm machinery as well as carrying multiple other lines, including Ford tractors, New Holland haying equipment and Scout vehicles.

In 1973, Fred and Noreen acquired the Subaru franchise, making Flower Motor Co. the second oldest Subaru franchise in the state. In 1984, they purchased the Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth franchise from their Hartman cousins, Cokey and Tom, keeping it all in the family.

Although the Flower Motor Company name has not technically existed for 50 years, the family ownership of the automobile franchise is a fact. It has now

been passed to another generation.“Noreen and I have turned the reins

over to our sons Fletcher and Fritz. � ey have taken it to a new level. � ey put Jeep in the line-up in 2009 and opened the new Subaru store at 1760 N. Townsend in 2011. I feel that the business longevity of this family must mean we are doing something right,” said Fred.

“We have experienced a lot of growth and think we are going to see more,” said Fletcher Flower who oversees the Dodge portion of the business. “My brother Fritz is in charge of the Subaru store.”

Fred stated that when they started the business, they had between 10 and 12 employees.

“We employ 58 people today,” Fletcher said. “Customer satisfaction is big with us. We carry good brands, are local and stand behind our products. We embrace change. We have combined yesterday’s tradition with today’s technology.”

Flower Motor Company takes an active role in supporting the community. Traditionally, they continue to provide donations for students, scholarships, various organizations and events.

� ey have been recognized as one of the outstanding Chrysler dealerships in the nation and received the Stellar Performer designation from Subaru.

“We must be doing something right. It’s exciting for us,” Fletcher said.

Flower Motor Company

Montrose MainstaysMontrose MainstaysMontrose Mainstays50YEARS

In Business

Courtesy photoThe Hartman Bros. business was the � rst in Montrose to sell and service automobiles.

Courtesy photoFred Flower’s great-grandfather was Sid Hartman who, along with his brother Joe, founded Hartman Brothers in 1904.

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“We have been fortunate to work with some great people over the years,” said Ken DeJulio, one of the partners in the long-time family business, Flairmont Furniture. “We have always tried to o� er good customer service which has helped to build customer loyalty. I feel that has kept us going over 50 years.”

In the late 1950s, Ken’s father, Ed DeJulio, was a local radio personality and manager of KUBC Radio when he was approached by three successful businessmen who had just purchased a furniture store as an investment. � ey asked him if he was interested in running the store. He accepted the challenge.

� e location at that time was 33 S. Cascade in what is historically known as the Knights of Pythias building, constructed in 1909.

Ed’s involvement as manager of the radio station, selling ads and broadcasting sporting events, gave him a real connection with the community. Well known and respected, he had gained a feel for the styles and needs of the locals. He knew quality inventory and service would contribute to a successful business.

Flairmont had its beginning as a family endeavor when Ed’s brother, Paul, started working at the store in1968. In � ve years, Paul became a partner and one year later the brothers bought out the original three partners. To this day, it remains family owned and operated.

In 1972, the commercial tra� c in Montrose was moving toward the east end of town. � e DeJulios were able to relocate to a new building (their current location) at 1836 E. Main. At that time, the Gibson Discount store was very busy, bringing tra� c to their door step.

“I think the city was very happy with the sales tax receipts coming from the East side ... a big impact on Montrose ... the city

manager made periodic visits out East...I know that I appreciated the city’s interest,” Ed said. “Although we are no longer in downtown, we support any project that helps strengthen the downtown shopping area ... it helps us to be a strong regional shopping destination.”

Paul passed away in 1991, but he and Ed had already started to groom the next generation.

“Our son Ken grew up in the business, helping with deliveries, sweeping the � oors, even cleaning the toilets,” Ed said. “A� er getting his degree from Ft. Lewis, he began working here full-time in 1981. Paul’s son Mark went through the same process and a� er he graduated from Western State in 1984, he came aboard. Both have become partners.”

“Something we are trying to do more of,” Ken said, “is reach out to the community. It used to be that we had just TV, radio and newspapers for advertising. Now we have the Internet and social media. We are trying to get caught up to the times. We even notice a di� erence in our customer base. When they come in, they are more informed on what they want.”

“We will always make an e� ort to give back to the community that has helped us be successful,” Ed said.

A partial list of their many contributions includes the San Juan Healthcare Foundation, Pavilion, the hospital Birthing Center, San Juan Cancer Center, the future Hospice Care (Hope West) Facility, Bosom Buddies, Lloyd McMillan gymnasium and the Montrose High School stadium project.

“Mark and I are very proud to be a part of this family business,” Ken said. “We have met so many good people. We’ve had our ups and downs, but overall it has been really good.”

“A� er all, the DeJulio roots in this valley are � ve generations deep,” Ed said. “We are here to stay.”

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Montrose MainstaysMontrose MainstaysMontrose MainstaysMontrose Mainstays50YEARS

In Business

Photo by Nate WickCharlie Chandler, left, Kathy Erickson and David DeVinny pose for a photo behind the diamond counter at DeVinny Jewelers in Montrose.

Goerge DeVinny in his print shop behind the First National Bank circa 1918.

Stepping into DeVinny Jewelers at 321 East Main is like taking a step back in time to the days of elegant displays, down-home personal service and unmatched quality. From the original tin ceiling tiles, to the historic cases and stained glass above the entrance, the eye is � lled with beautiful things. Up a few steps to the mezzanine, one will no doubt � nd owner/proprietor David DeVinny wearing his head lamp, working over an original piece or repairing someone’s prized heirloom.

“We try to be fair and honest in our dealings,” DeVinny said. “We feel stability and service are so important; also we carry a good product and stand behind our work. I want to emphasize that trust is so important. When people leave their family jewels with us, they have to have some trust.”

DeVinny Jewelers has occupied the historic former Getz Drug Store building since 1979 but that’s only part of the family’s long-time history in Montrose which started with David’s dad, George J. DeVinny.

“� e J. stands for Jewel,” DeVinny said. “We’ve o� en wondered if my dad’s mother predestined him to be a jeweler when she named him George Jewel, but we found out it is a family name passed down from previous generations.”

When George was in high school in 1917, he worked as an apprentice watchman for Andy Frandsen in the Farrell/Frandsen Jewelry Company which was started in 1906 in a building where the Fox � eater stands today. Like many young men his age, George went into the Army during World War I. While stationed at Camp Carson, he contracted the terrible Spanish � u and was so ill that he was eventually discharged. He had to return home where he returned to work for Frandsen. For a couple of years he worked in Telluride for the Wilson Busy Corner Drug.

In 1926, Frandsen decided to become a traveling salesman, so George returned to Montrose and bought the business. At that time it was located on the south side of Main in the 400 block. In the mid-1940s DeVinny

moved to 427 Main, the present location of Brown’s Shoe Store, where they operated until moving to their current location in 1979. Some of the hand-cra� ed showcases and the safe in the current store were moved from the Frandsen location.

Not only did Dave’s dad operate the store, his mother, Bernice, was a mainstay there as well. She was famous for her distinguished hand-cra� ed gi� bows and beautiful gi� wrappings. When she was 91 and had broken a hip, Dave decided it was time for her to stay home and rest.

“She must have been here for at least 40 years,” Dave said. “She told everyone I � red her. I didn’t � re her. I just didn’t pick her up for work.”

Dave and his wife Jo traveled to China and � ailand last fall.

“It was a multifaceted trip,” DeVinny said. “We did a lot of sight-seeing, but it was also a buying trip – a very unique experience. We brought back pearls and opals from Hong Kong, some stone carvings and jewelry from China and lots of colored stones for hand-cra� ed jewelry.”

With the general change in culture, there has been a change in inventory at DeVinny’s.

“We don’t carry as much � ne china or crystal as we used to,” said DeVinny. “We still have gi� s and collectables, but we concentrate more on � ne jewelry and fashion jewelry. We have some outstanding designer pieces, many by Allison Kaufman. We continue to carry an assortment of wall, mantle and � oor clocks as well as watches.”

DeVinny Jewelers is considered a Master IJO Jeweler, meaning it is among an elite group of retailers who have been hand-selected for membership in the Independent Jewelers Organization. Only jewelers who meet the highest standards and superior professional integrity are accepted.

� roughout the years, DeVinnys have supported local entities such as 4-H, the Montrose Kiwanis and Valley Symphony, among other community endeavors.

For more information, visit the store’s website at www.devinnyjewelers.com. •

Photo by Nate WickKen, left, and Mark DeJulio pose for a photo in the current showroom of Flairmont Furniture in Montrose.


4-H history1902: A. B. Graham started a youth program in Clark County, Ohio, which is considered the birth of 4-H in the United States, according to a history of 4-H at 4-H.org. The � rst club was called “The Tomato Club” or the “Corn Growing Club.” T.A. Erickson of Douglas County, Minn., started local agricultural after-school clubs and fairs that same year. Jessie Field Shambaugh developed the clover pin with an H on each leaf in 1910, and by 1912 they were called 4-H clubs.1914: The passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914 created the Cooperative Extension System at USDA and nationalized 4-H. By 1924, 4-H clubs were formed and the clover emblem was adopted. The Cooperative Extension System is a partnership of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the 109 land-grant universities and more than 3,000 county o� ces across the nation. (Information from 4-H.org)

or children in the 4-H program, the goal isn’t to complete a project, but to work with adults through a process.

� e philosophy of 4-H said Trent Hollister, 4-H youth development extension agent, is for participants to learn by doing.

� at learning for participants ages 5-18, can come in almost any form, Hollister said.

Although 4-H is a United States Department of Agriculture program and agriculture is a big part of what the program does, it is far from the only thing.

“… We have projects ranging from shooting sports to robotics to computers to bicycles to leather cra� and of course all the traditional projects like cake decorating, sewing and a lot of food projects. We have almost any project for any interest,” he said.

For Brandon Creamer, a former 4-H member who now is the Montrose/Ouray program associate, the activities he did boosted his public speaking skills. Between working in small groups and doing some public speaking, Creamer said he is much more comfortable in front of people now.

But beyond speaking skills, the program also taught him work ethic as he worked to show animals. Getting up early to feed, working with his animal for hours each day and getting into a routine, have bene� ts that extended into his working life.

Hollister said Creamer’s story isn’t unique. Since he started in 2006, he has seen many children grow up in the program and

become leaders.� ere are roughly 325 members of the

Montrose/Ouray 4-H program and about 85 volunteers.

One focus of the program has been to stay true to its core mission, but to adapt to changing times. � is has meant keeping up with advancing technology.

To do that, 4-H is always introducing new projects and areas of work. Programs such as robotics and computers have been introduced to keep up with the interest of today’s youth.

� e program has a few big events scheduled to happen in March. � e � rst is for 4-H members. It is a district campout for 4-H members in Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Gunnison and Hinsdale counties. � e campout will take place March 7-9 at the Montrose County Fairgrounds and is expected to see about 150 children.

As a way to entice new youth to join, the 4-H program is also hosting an open house later that month. For the Back to 4-H Night set for 6-8 p.m. March 20 at the fairgrounds, Hollister invites all of the students in kindergarten through eighth grade in the school district to participate and learn what the program is all about. � is will be the � � h year for the program, which has current 4-H members showcase their projects.

Enrollment in the 4-H program is $40 a year. For more information on the program or to sign up, visit tra4h.org and colorado4h.org. •

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F



hile it remains a waiting game on immigration reform in Washington D.C., local immigration leaders continue

to push for integration in the Montrose community.Ricardo Perez, the executive director for

the Hispanic A� airs Project in Montrose, said the goal is to remove the immigrant population from the “shadows.”

“� is is the place we are living, this is the place our children are growing up,” he said. “We need to be visible and to be proud to invest locally.”

Perez said there used to be a stable immigrant community, with 1,000 construction workers traveling from Montrose to Telluride every morning, before the � nancial crisis hit the Western Slope.

� e families that had established themselves in the community found themselves without work.

Now Perez is seeing an increasing number of immigrant families with both parents working, but still unable to get above the poverty line.

A chance to be more stable in the workforce depends on the immigration bill passing the House of Representatives in D.C., and Perez said it is very disappointing to see it remain stagnant while so many people in the U.S. support reform.

“We are keeping people in the shadow,” he said.Pepe Pacheco, a HAP board member who

is studying to become a deacon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Montrose, said passing immigration reform would be a major economic boost for the community.

He said there are families that are afraid to drive around town, but reform would allow them to get licenses, buy vehicles, and really invest in the community.

“With immigration reform, this is going to change,” Pacheco said. “Everybody is going to be able to go buy a car, to have a driver’s license, to buy his own insurance. � at’s one big bene� t, not just for the economy, but for families.”

One major hurdle is education.Pacheco, who has been in Montrose for 27

Immigration Reform Waiting GameLocal leaders preach integration, understanding

By Nathan Meacham • Daily Press Staff Writer

Carlos Antonio, right, and Ricardo Perez, left, spoke at an immigration refom vigil in November.

Community members gathered in November for a demonstration supporting immigration reform.

Ricardo Perez speaks at a vigil in November promoting immigration reform.

W

years, said he tries to talk to people who are against immigration reform, but sometimes their mind can’t be changed.

“Some people are just against it no matter what you tell them,” he said.

Perez hopes integration between both the immigrant and receiving community is an answer to the problem.

He said he is already seeing the faces of immigrants out in the community, especially with the younger generation in the schools and participating in sports.

“Our long-term goal is the integration. Integration is a better understanding of others,” Perez said. “We are a human family, that’s it. No matter where we are coming from, what language we are speaking, we are the same human beings.”

Perez wants to see communication from both sides, especially because it can

be di� cult for the receiving community to understand what it’s like to live without proper identi� cation.

Perez said � ghting for immigration reform is about � ghting for justice, which is not the immigrant community asking for something for free.

“When we are asking for justice, it’s not ‘give me something for free.’ It’s ‘I will pay for that.’”

Having the opportunity to explain the reasoning behind immigrating to the U.S. is part of the justice Perez would like to see.

“� is is a good way to � x the problem,” he said. “If we broke the law, crossing the border without permission, we need to pay for that. We need to � x it. We want to go to the court and say ‘I did it for this circumstance.’”

“It’s about surviving. It’s to put the food on the table. It’s about having a place to stay,” he added. •


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hen Brett Saunders started teaching agriculture education classes at Montrose High School 19 years ago,

more than half of Future Farmers of America students had a background in agriculture.

Today, the story is much di� erent.“Now the last couple years, I would say

only about 10 percent of my kids come from a working farm or ranch and I would say over 50 percent of them come from within the city limits,” he said.

� e change is just a re� ection of the times.

Only 1 to 2 percent of the nation’s population is in production agriculture, Saunders said.

But that change is something the program and classes have had to adapt to. In Montrose, the program has become more urbanized, meaning Saunders has to take more time to teach the very basics of agriculture. For the few students with agriculture backgrounds, Saunders is doing more independent studies so they are not bored.

In Olathe, the FFA chapter hasn’t become quite as urbanized as Montrose. Many of

FFA Changing Gears With Times

Fewer students who participate have ag backgrounds

By Justin Joiner • Daily Press Managing Editor

Courtesy photoTaylor Dement sells his champion market pig at the junior livestock sale at the 2013 Montrose County Fair.

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Continued on next pageAGRICULTURE & INDUSTRY


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The strategy is available online atwww.CityofMontrose.org/events. The new policy and application process

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Courtesy photoStudents in the animal science class dissect a cardio-vascular system of a pig.



the students who are part of the Olathe 4-H leadership have some connection to agriculture.

� e students have parents and even grandparents who were part of FFA.

But learning about agriculture isn’t the only bene� t of FFA.

Many of the Olathe high schoolers said improving their public speaking skills was the best thing they got out of FFA.

Talisha Marchbanks, president of the chapter, said public speaking was one thing she learned, especially when she shows animals.

Wade Rowley, the vice president of FFA in Olathe, said the program has also been a con� dence builder for him. He traveled with FFA to a leadership conference in Washington, D.C.

� e FFA program in Colorado is connected to agriculture education classes, but a portion of it is also similar to a extracurricular activity. Showing animals requires students to practice just like a sport, Erin Martinez, FFA adviser and instructor at Olathe, said the amount of work the students put in is outstanding.

� ere are also numerous presentations, banquets and other events that the students have to prepare for. � at adds up to a lot of time for students who also participate in sports and other a� er-school activities.

Plaques of awards and other honors line the walls of the Olathe and Montrose classrooms. � e long history of FFA at both schools (Olathe was the � rst to be chartered in the state) has led to some big successes for the programs.

But even if not all the FFA students go on to major in ag-speci� c � elds, they will have gained strong life skills that they can take with them anywhere, Martinez said. •

Courtesy photoTori Davis, Kaycee Baker and Talisha Marchbanks compete in the Ag Olympics at the 2013 Montrose County Fair.

Courtesy photoThe Olathe FFA Horse Evaluation Team that competed at National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky, took 11th place nationally out of 43 teams. The team consists of Wade Rowley, Talisha Marchbanks, Cassie Franks and Trace Axtell.


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‘You Have To Have

A Passion For It’

Ranch lifestyle hard, varied

By Justin Joiner • Daily Press Managing Editor

t’s 2 a.m., and Je� Creamer knows it is about time for a special delivery.

One of his cows has started pacing. “Before they calve they start to pace,” he

said. “� ey will walk for about three to four hours. At that point, I knew that within two to two and half hours, I would have a calf.”

At 4:30 a.m., Je� pulls himself from bed and as predicted, a new calf has entered the world.

But knowing roughly when it would happen isn’t just a guess. For more than 16 years, Je� and his family have been working as seedstock producers full time and they’ve learned more than a thing or two about not just cattle, but medicine and business as well.

“When you’re in the cow/calf operation you are a little bit of everything,” Je� said.

� e family-operation consisting of Je� ’s wife, Kathi; son, Brandon; and daughter, Britney, together act as veterinarians, showmen, accountants, businessmen – ranchers.

Although Je� and Kathi come from agriculture backgrounds, they’ve had to teach themselves new skills through the years.

For one, Je� uses the method of night feeding to try to ward o� any late night births and for the most part it has been successful.

“You try to feed right at dark,” he said. “� e idea behind that is cows don’t like to calve on a full stomach. For our operation … I believe in it whole heartedly. You have about 85 percent of your calves born in the daylight or early morning. You don’t have them at midnight.”

As seed stock producers, Lazy JB Angus has tried to widen its reach by o� ering semen and embryos in addition to bulls.

I


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� e family also shows their cattle nationwide and has found quite a bit of success doing it – winning grand or reserve at three of the � ve major shows.

Advancing technology

At the same time the Creamers are learning about the industry, they are also trying to adapt to the changing spectrum of technology.

� e business has come a long way since Kathi’s great-grandfather purchased the brand in 1926.

Now, the business uses DNA markers to determine birth weights and that has helped them keep the majority of their calves in the 70-85 pound range.

Although Je� said calf season is the hardest time of the year, it is also his favorite.

“� is time of year is kind of a Christmas for me,” he said. “Every time you go out there it is like you are getting a new package.”

In about a year, those calves will turn into bulls to be sold at the family’s yearly sale in March.

� is year the sale is set for March 16 at the family’s ranch and even that has seen a technological upgrade.

� is year will mark the third time the sale will also be o� ered online. Online sales are a growing trend in the cattle industry that let people from almost anywhere place their bids from the comfort of their homes. Many of the sales are from the high-country, but the family has sold bulls to people from Pennsylvania and even Canada.

New technology or not, ranching is a tough lifestyle with long hours and few breaks.

“You have to have a passion for it,” Kathi said. •


Western Slope Wool Growers Association

held their Annual Banquet and Dance on Jan. 25th which was a fun filled, enjoyable evening for the Community of Montrose. Thank you everyone who attended our Banquet and Dance. This event’s annual success is certainly made possible by the area’s businesses which contribute to

our Banquet by sponsoring the door prizes that we give away. The wool blankets and pelts are a nice gift that is made only by the generous

contributions made by our local businesses. On behalf of the WSWGA, we would like to thank the following:

Joey’s Welding Inc.US Tractor & Harvest Inc.Producers Co-op-

Montrose & OlatheDecker and Cook

CPA’s P.C.Tri-River ApplianceParish OilWells Fargo BankJim’s Auction ServiceSouth River Real

EstateKeenan’s Plumbing

and HeatingMountain West

Insurance and Financial Services

Mitchell and Bennett Families of Telluride

Angie PetersonField Livestock Co.Rounds and Brooks

CPA P.C.Farm Bureau

InsuranceCastle Auto SalesRed Barn RestaurantPatriot Truck WashLeonard Farms &

LivestockAmerican Ag CreditD&S UndergroundArea Best PawnEtchart Livestock

Bank of ColoradoSam Etchegaray

LivestockHallam & Associates

Insurance Inc.Mike Harper LivestockFlowers ExcavatingOlathe Sweet Sweet

CornWestern Slope

Cattlemen’s Livestock Auction

Rocky Mountain Aggregate & Construction

Wollert Automotive

Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply

Delta Animal Health & Nutrition

Grand Junction Pipe & Supply

Delta Sales YardWest Slope Ag Center

Olathe Spray ServiceAll Steel/C&H Foam

InsulationAnnaed’s Roll OffWestern PetroleumMontrose Implement

& MotorsportsCitizen’s State Bank

Montrose Ford NissanMontroseBankHightower Paint

SupplyMontrose Veterinary

ClinicAlpine BankRecla Metals

Rifle Drawing Sponsors Keenan’s Plumbing & Heating, Red Barn Restaurant

Drawing winner - Scott Williams

Thank you for helping us put this event on

We look forward to next year’s Banquet and Dance! We very much hope to see you all then!

We in the Agricultural Production industriesrely on these fine business for our infrastructure, service and supplies for our everyday operations. They are our backbone of this valley and we appreciate their continued

support of the sheep industry. Not only do they support us, but they support many other charitable entities. Their sense of community deserves

this community’s support, which we ask you to remember when shopping.

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Generous Contributors

Business Sponsors

Producers Co-opMurdoch’s

Wells Fargo Bank KUBC/Jim Kershner

Montrose Daily PressScott’s PrintingShelley Miller

Montrose Elks LodgeAnders Brothers BandMontrose and Olathe

FFA MembersMembers of the Montrose

High School Marching Band Montrose County Fair and

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ith snow cloaking the mountains, the thoughts of many turn to outdoor sports — or travel concerns, depending

on one’s interest.Diana Read thinks about grapes.Yes, grapes. With her husband, Keith, Read

operates Cottonwood Cellars, one of three Olathe area wineries that speak to the industry’s growing presence in Colorado.

Mountainview Winery and Garrett Estate Cellars, also in Olathe, are also among the state’s 96 or so wineries. Mountainview could not be reached in advance of deadline. Garrett Estate’s owner was out of town, but said he’s eager to let people know about his winery. � e Daily Press hopes to feature Garrett Estates in a March edition.

“I’m always thinking about grapes and wine. ... Twenty years ago, this was a retirement project that got out of hand,” Read said. “He (Keith) likes making wine. He likes doing di� erent things. He’s still having fun. I enjoy the sales part of it.”

� e Reads grow about six varieties of grapes, including pinot and Lemberger, a German red, on 22 of their 52 acres on California Mesa.

Cottonwood Cellars has seen the industry grow as fast as their grapes.

“When we started in 1994, there were � ve wineries when we applied for our license. � e same year we applied, quite a few others started,” said Read. “We now have more than 100 wineries in Colorado. I would say we’re mid-size.”

Colorado wineries reported about $24.8 million in wine sales for the 2011-2012 production year, according to a Colorado State University study commissioned by the Colorado Wine Industry Development Board. Results were published last November.

Vineyards have increased from 240 acres in 1990 to about 1,200 acres, with about 340,000 tons of grapes grown (or purchased) by state wineries, according to the study.

� e industry contributed $27 million of economic activity related to tourism and wine purchases in 2012, and the amount grows to $47 million once indirect e� ects are taken into account, the study’s executive summary says.

Operating a winery takes constant attention, and is not for anyone looking at a get-rich quick scheme, Read said.

Vintners strike a delicate balance, crossing their � ngers that temperatures won’t sink low

All About The GrapeOlathe vineyards part of burgeoning Colorado wine industry

By Katharhynn Heidelberg • Daily Press Senior Writer

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enough to kill the vines once they start budding.

“Right now, I think we’re OK. Snow on the ground is not a bad thing; it depends on how cold it gets. � e biggest problem we worry about going into spring is, once the vines get moving and we get a hard freeze,” Read said.

But Cottonwood bene� ts from its position on the mesa and the “doughnut hole” e� ect that keeps Olathe’s climate a little warmer.

“Usually, we bud out a little later than Grand Junction or Palisade. Sometimes, we miss a frost because of that.”

Her Lemberger grapes do well at the winery’s 5,400 feet altitude.

“It likes a high altitude. We very seldom lose a crop, but we’ll get 7 tons an acre if we just let it do what it wants. We prune it back to 3 tons an acre so we have a rich wine,” she said.

Her pinot can also grow to more than 3 tons per acres and is pruned back — sometimes, by nature.

“We have a couple varieties that even if we lose (another crop), we can still make wines. We may not get a full crop. Sometimes, we’ll lose only one variety and everything else is � ne. I don’t know what a ‘regular’ year is,” Read said with a laugh.

� e Reads are also experimenting this year with three hybrids.

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Olathe’s wineriesCottonwood Cellars: 5482 Colorado Highway 348, Olathe, CO, 81425. (970) 323-6224. www.cottonwoodcellars.com

Mountainview Winery: 5859 58.25 Road, Olathe, CO 81425. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. (970) 323-6816. http://mountainviewwinery.com

Garrett Estate Cellars: The cellar’s contact number is (970) 901-5919 and the family-owned and operated winery can also be found on Facebook.

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� e climes at Cottonwood don’t favor all grapes, however. � e Reads took out their cabernet — and weren’t even able to buy any of the grapes because of demand.

“We’re too high. We grow all pinot noir, which Palisade can’t seem to do. Paonia can usually get a ton to the acre. We usually have at least a couple tons to the acre for our pinot,” said Read.

“We try to keep most varieties at about 3 tons to the acre.”

Weather pending, pruning begins in spring. If the vines are doing OK come June, they might again be pruned back. � e idea is to be rid of dead portions and excessively long branches.

Growing season is March through October and harvest usually occurs in September and early October.

Read will be bottling white wines come

spring, except for Chardonnay, which is barrel-aged for nine months or more.

“When the wine is ready, you want to bottle it, you want to preserve it. Getting close to harvest, we bottle any reds we want to use, so we have the tanks and barrels available for harvest,” she said.

Cottonwood’s reds are aged in real oak barrels, for up to two years, depending on vintage.

“It’s really made in the vineyard. If the quality is good when we harvest, we can make reserve wines. � ose, we let sit in the barrels for two years,” Read said.

Cottonwood is prepping for its annual April opening, and looking forward to its annual festival circuit.

“� ey’re a lot of fun to participate in. People � nd out that some of Colorado’s wine is really quite good,” said Read. “It’s good PR for our industry.” •




ndustrial hemp’s day in the sun is dawning.

Regulatory framework for growing the plant is in place in Colorado, with the registration process open at the state agricultural department from March 1 to May 1.

On the federal level, President Barack Obama inked the 2014 Farm Bill, which includes a provision that allows hemp to be grown for research purposes by ag departments and universities in states where cultivation is legal.

Hemp, a distant relative of marijuana with a far lower concentration of THC, is used in everything from ropes and clothing to foods and composite materials. � e plant might even help remove soil contaminants, said Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose.

What would it take to see the crop begin to be grown in Montrose County?

Time — and clarity on a number of issues, state o� cials and others say.

While hemp cultivation is now legal in Colorado, growers cannot import hemp seeds to plant. � at remains illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

“� at’s certainly a challenge at this point,” said Ron Carleton, deputy commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

“Because industrial hemp has been illegal, there isn’t really a good source of viable seed in the country and it’s illegal to import it. We are exploring some possible ways to try and seek an easing of restrictions on the import ban.”

� e recent Farm Bill provision presents a few issues, he added.

“� at raises a legitimate question for us to ask of the government: Now that Congress has recognized the importance of the research, we can’t do without viable seed,” Carleton said.

“� e fact that there is still a con� ict

between federal and state law, (means) there are still challenges and importing seeds is one of those challenges.”

Seed that already exists in the state may have unknown THC levels, information from the ag department says. Colorado’s hemp laws prohibit THC concentrations higher than 0.3 percent.

� e law also requires industrial hemp to be processed before it is shipped out of state.

� e ag department also notes on its website that pesticides fall under largely federal regulation and the hunt is on for one that wouldn’t violate state and federal regulations.

“I’m importing hemp right now,” said Barbara Filippone, who founded EnviroTextiles LLC in Glenwood Springs. “If we’re going to grow hemp in Colorado, it would be for seed oil, which is a food product and it would be a value-added crop.”

EnviroTextiles is a hemp and natural � ber manufacturer that has approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred Program and is the only hemp products maker quali� ed to list its products in the federal procurement preferred category, according to a company news release.

� e company has a worldwide reach.� e U.S. is one of the biggest consumers

of hemp products, but it is illegal to grow it federally because the plant was caught up in the criminalization of marijuana.

“It’s such a distant cousin,” said Coram, who last year supported Sen. Gail Schwartz’s bill providing for the regulation of commercial hemp farming.

“� e THC in hemp is so miniscule you could smoke a telephone pole of it and not get high. You would just get a headache.”

Filippone said the disconnect between state and federal treatment of hemp places a burden on Colorado farmers who might want to grow it.

Hemp, Hemp — Hooray?Long road ahead for commercial cultivation in state

Coram sees potential for Uncompahgre ValleyBy Katharhynn Heidelberg • Daily Press Senior Writer

Photo courtesy of Erik Hunter Rocky Mountain Hemp AssociationHemp grows at Ryan Lo� in’s farm in Spring� eld last October.

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“For us, it would be a multiple purpose crop, where you have the seed for oil. � e problem right now is federal. We have passed legislation to grow industrial hemp, but it’s not legal to bring in the seed. � e liability is on the farmers,” she said.

While EnviroTextiles can supply the federal government with hemp-based

products, Filippone right now must import her product.

“� e industry is here and they’re forcing us to import when we could be growing here in our country because they can’t � gure out the di� erence between marijuana and hemp?” she said.

“No farmers are actually going to plant

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• Colorado’s Amendment 64, which legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, also called up the Legislature to create legislation governing industrial hemp cultivation, processing and sale. Sen. Gail Schwartz’s SB241 provided for that. The Legislature directed the Colorado Department of Agriculture to establish registration and inspection regulations.

• Registration is available March 1 - May 1 of each year.

• Permissible registrations are for research and development and commercial. Research and development is limited to 10 acres or fewer; the fee is $100, plus $5 per acre. Commercial registrants are not limited by acreage and are to be charged $200, plus $1 per acre.

• Applicants have to provide contact information, maps that include GPS locations of all growing locations and varieties planted, as well as a� davits or lab tests showing that the crop will produce a THC content of 0.3 percent or less.

• At least one-third of registrants each year will be selected for � eld sampling and veri� cation of THC content; costs are passed down to the registrant.

• The rules are available at http://tinyurl.com/stateaghemp.

• Source: Colorado Department of Agriculture

Hemp in Colorado

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Photo courtesy of Erik Hunter Rocky Mountain Hemp AssociationWorkers harvest industrial hemp at Ryan Lo� in’s Spring� eld farm last October.



seed until the federal government approves it at the federal level,” said Lynda Parker of the Colorado Industrial Hemp Initiative and the Rocky Mountain Hemp Association. “Farmers have a long list of legitimate questions and they’ve only recently answered one of them,” she said, referring to banking.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recently announced that the government will issue regulations allowing banks, which are federally insured, to do business with outlets that legally sell marijuana, the Associated Press reported. Hemp is not the same as marijuana, but is largely treated by the feds as though it is.

� at could make banks reluctant to provide services to growers because they don’t want to risk a federal prosecution, the Colorado Department of Agriculture said on its website.

Parker said it remains unclear if farmers could continue to receive federal USDA loans and crop insurance.

� e Farm Bill provision allowing hemp research crops, including by federally subsidized colleges, is, however, “a huge step,” Parker added.

“� at’s really huge. � at’s going to speed things along,” she said.

� e state has regulatory framework in place, Parker reiterated.

“� e only reluctance is on the part of farmers and universities who are currently receiving federal funding and who are concerned about losing that funding if they get involved in what’s considered at the federal level to be an illegal crop.

“But now they’ve freed up the universities.

� at’s huge.”Carleton said much the same: “Having

that Farm Bill was a great � rst step.”Coram remains hopeful.“Hemp is a great product of multiple uses,”

he said, mentioning the soils in Montrose County. Coram said it is his understanding that hemp can remediate some contaminated soil, possibly even selenium, a trace element that occurs in high amounts in the region.

Whether hemp actually can reduce selenium hasn’t been studied, said Dave Dearstyne, a soil scientist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montrose. Hybrid poplars have been shown to do so, however.

“If you can take those toxins out of the soil, (hemp) is really a great tool for

remediation of soils,” Coram said. “It doesn’t require a lot of water. I think it’s

just another alternative for someone who wants to try another crop. On some of our more heavy, alkaline soils that we have in the Uncompahgre Valley, it may be a good alternative.”

� e inquiries are pouring into the Colorado Department of Ag, including from the Western Slope, Carleton said. How many expressions of interest will translate into registrations is uncertain, he said.

“As a state, we need to keep the long-term perspective in mind. It’s not about the � rst year, it’s really about the � rst � ve years, getting the program up and running, addressing some of these issues,” Carleton said.

“As time goes by ... we’re going to have a successful program.” •

Outlook Agriculture and Industry 2014

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Transcript of Outlook Agriculture and Industry 2014