La Plata Open Space Conservancy (LPOSC), Montezuma Land Conservancy (MLC), and the Old Fort (of Fort Lewis College) have created a collaborative for a year-long study to better understand the needs and barriers to improve equitable land access in Southwest Colorado. Beginning in March of this year, representatives from the three organizations along with community member partners will host five meetings throughout La Plata and Montezuma Counties for dialogue between landowners and land seekers about improving access to land for new farmers and those from historically marginalized communities. The meetings will be facilitated by Sagebrush Ltd.
“According to the Agrarian Trust, 400 million acres of land in the United States is changing hands as thousands of farmers and ranchers retire, yet the next generation of farmers struggle to access land,” said Adrienne Dorsey, Executive Director of La Plata Open Space Conservancy. “Southwestern Colorado is no exception to this challenge, so our collaborative is dedicated to exploring different types of land access models and better understanding the role that land trusts can play in improving equitable access to land.”
Recognizing the need to explore ways in which to expand access to farmland for the next generation of farmers, and maintain agricultural conservation values, LPOSC and MLC began discussions with key stakeholders in the community, including The Old Fort and its Farmer Training Program, last fall.
Southwestern Colorado faces increased turnover of landowners of farmland, with many of the new owners unable or unwilling to continue sustainably farming land that is so critical to produce food and to fuel a vibrant economy in our largely rural communities. Our region has seen vastly increased development pressure on open lands in recent years.
Inequities in farmland access in Southwestern Colorado, as across the country, are a serious problem. According to the Agrarian Trust, “most farmland is owned by nonfarmers…[the] vast majority (80 percent) of farmworkers are people of color, yet people of color own just a tiny fraction of US farmland – less than 2 percent.”
The Farmer Training Program at Fort Lewis College has been part of the conversations, and program coordinator Elicia Whittlesey says that “addressing land access for beginning farmers is part of building an equitable and vital food system. Farming is challenging in this region, and yet it is a viable way to make a living when stable land access is within reach. As the Farmer Training Program, we’re encouraged by this collaborative effort and look forward to hearing from the community.”
The Collaborative seeks to better understand the barriers new farmers and other land seekers are facing to accessing land, building equity in land, and how land trusts can play a role in supporting enhanced access to land for agricultural purposes. Multiple initiatives may arise from this wide-ranging effort, building on existing work in our two counties and piloting new projects.
The community meetings are open to all members of the public and will be held on the following dates:
- Monday, March 27: 11:30am – 1:30pm. First National Bank, 2258 Main Street, Cortez, CO.
- Monday, April 3:11:30am – 1:30pm. Ute Mountain Ute Community Center, Towaoc, CO.
- Tuesday, April 11: 6:00 – 8:00pm. Mount Lookout Grange, 680 W. Grand Ave, Mancos, CO.
- Monday, April 17: 5:30 – 7:30pm. Sunnyside Market, 1305 Escalante Drive, 2nd Floor, Durango, CO.
- Monday, April 24: 11:30am – 1:30pm. Southern Ute Museum, 503 Ouray Drive, Ignacio, CO.
To register to attend, please visit www.lposc.org or www.montezumaland.org.
About La Plata Open Space Conservancy: Since 1992, La Plata Open Space Conservancy (LPOSC) has functioned as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization serving southwestern Colorado. In its 31- year history, the Conservancy has protected nearly 25,000 acres of land and currently holds nearly 21,000 acres in conservation easements. The Conservancy’s mission is to permanently protect open lands that have significant agricultural, wildlife habitat, open space, recreational and/or historical/archaeological resources for the benefit of the community and the general public.
About Montezuma Land Conservancy: Founded in 1998, MLC has worked with more than 75 families to conserve over 47,000 acres of land in Montezuma, Dolores, and San Miguel Counties. Over the past five years, MLC has worked to deepen its commitment to conservation by incorporating community- centered programs through its education center, Fozzie’s Farm, and a Cross-Cultural Program in partnership with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. The organization believes that the future success of land conservation will require an innovative community-centered approach that welcomes diverse representation and engagement in the lands movement.
About Fort Lewis College: At Fort Lewis College, a broad range of subjects and a diverse student body weave cross-cultural knowledge throughout signature programs focused on environmental studies, education, the health sciences, creative arts, and business administration. The Farmer Training Program at the Old Fort offers an immersive, five-month program and community courses focusing on successful techniques for high elevation vegetable production. Program graduates go on to pursue careers as farmers and food systems advocates.
