New Governor Focused on Ag and Rural Communities

New Governor Focused on Ag and Rural Communities

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett
When Colorado Gov. Jared Polis delivered his first State of the State address at the Capitol he put his focus directly on farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

Early in his address, Polis said he wants to double down on supporting Colorado's rich farming and ranching traditions.

"Though our agriculture exports have nearly quadrupled over the last two decades, the last few years have been a difficult time for farmers and ranchers. Volatile commodities markets, a damaging trade war from Washington, an increasingly serious water shortage, are all making life harder all too often for the men and women who work in our own farms and agriculture industry. We need to make sure that today's farmers and ranchers and tomorrow's have the tools they need to succeed."

Polis gave a nod to his nominee for Agriculture Commissioner, Kate Greenberg, as the forward looking leader the state will need. Greenberg is the Western Program director for National Young Farmers Coalition.

Polis said he administration will improve and implement the state's Water Plan and work with private groups to grow wages in agriculture and expand access to capital and help the next generation of farmers and rural communities thrive.

Polis said Colorado will make good on the promise of industrial Hemp to make the state the national leader in industrial Hemp production, noting that his inauguration programs were printed on Hemp paper.

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