From farm crops, livestock, and other products, there is no denying that Colorado is an agriculture powerhouse. Learn about the Centennial state’s farming history, the 3-highest valued commodities, and how this industry helps the entire state.
The State’s Farming History
Agriculture plays a central role in the history of Colorado. The state has witnessed many transformations and evolutions when it comes to agriculture.
The first farmers in Colorado were most likely the Ancestral Puebloans who settled in Mesa Verde (Spanish for “green table”) about 1,400 years ago. Originally nomadic, they settled in this area and began farming corn, beans, and squash while also raising turkeys. In the 1800s people were growing grains, vegetables, and livestock. During the 1900s came the Dust Bowl, rubber-tired tractors – stirring the American agriculture revolution, drip irrigation, GPS, and so much more! For more details on Colorado’s fascinating farming history click here.
Today, we (a local cooperative) see family farms and working cattle ranches that continue to serve as a reminder of how the West was settled.
3 Highest Valued Commodities
- Cattle & Calves
- Dairy Products
- Corn
In 2019, Colorado generated around $7.4 billion in agricultural cash receipts with the highest valued commodities being cattle and calves, dairy products, specifically milk, and corn.
That same year, the value of Colorado’s agricultural production and processing industries represented 2.1 percent of total state GDP. Some of the dollars generated by these industries end up being re-spent within the local economy, bringing additional value to the state through “multiplier effects.”
In addition to revenue that supports the economy, agribusiness provides jobs for over 173,000 employees across the state! The agriculture industry plays a big role in Colorado’s economy, and without it, Colorado wouldn’t be where it is today.
Coming Together
Colorado has a strong heritage in farming and ranching that everyone can enjoy from flavorful Colorado beef, juicy Western Slope peaches, tender Colorado lamb, and sweet Rocky Ford melons.
Rural and urban are coming together to create a thriving community that respects the sustainment we receive from agriculture. We are and will always be an ag-proud state. You can see it in our landscape, taste it in our food, and sense it in our fellow Coloradans.
Since 1905, Agfinity has been honored to be helping local family farms and ranches thrive. Today, tomorrow, and well into the future, we will continue to serve the growers and producers who make the most of a region as rich as it is rugged.
[bs_button size=”md” type=”info” value=”Learn about the Cooperative” href=”https://agfinityinc.com/about-us/”]