Support Western Colorado Agriculture

Dear family and friends, 

I am late sending out this request but please read below for information on VFP, whose board I sit on. The Western Slope of CO provides produce for grocery stores & farmers markets in the greater Denver area and beyond. Three nearby towns alone produce most of Colorado’s $24million fruit industry. Our fundraising goal for 2025 was $100K and we were about 50% there when Colorado Gives Day started last month. Will you please consider supporting this worthy nonprofit as we support farmers and ranchers in an aging but vital industry? 

For the past 14 years, Valley Food Partnership (VFP) has been building a movement of folks to support Western Colorado food and agriculture, strengthening our local economy, health, and land.  This year we are aiming to raise funds for our beginning farmer program and to support the backbone of our organization, the glue that enables us to make an impact - staff, technology, organizational capacity building, marketing, etc.  

VFP supports Western Colorado farmers and ranchers through education, resource navigation, technical assistance, and strengthening social connections.  In our beginning farmer, rancher development program, one participant commented: “As a beginner farmer in an aging agricultural community that I only just moved to 3 years ago, I found this program extremely helpful for my own mental health. I made friends that I can rely on for years. We can help each other out and ensure we all feel less alone by sharing knowledge and offering support." Another commented that “The CFRT (Cultivating Farmers & Ranchers that Thrive) program was very eye-opening. I entered this program not realizing a farm should have a business plan. I ended the program understanding the importance of monitoring your financial health, how to calculate it, and how to plan for a profit.” In total we have graduated 64+ participants in our year long course focused on the social, economic, and environmental aspects of agricultural production.  In total we served 203+ beginning farmers and ranchers.  

In addition to our beginning farmer program, VFP brings the agricultural community together once a year, with collaborators, for the Western Colorado Soil Health, Food, and Farm Forum.  This 2-day event is intended to bring renowned presenters to speak on issues of importance to local farmers and ranchers, providing important education as well as networking opportunities. Each year it sells out, with 75% of attendees actively farming and ranching.

VFP also works with consumers through promotion of local food and facilitation of the Montrose Farmers Market.  The Montrose Farmers Market celebrated its 47th year in 2025.  Consumers and vendors alike appreciate that we are a farmer-forward farmers market, provide 4+ food access programs, and offer a low-risk business incubation. 

VFP also provides cooking and nutrition classes for folks with low-income. For every class attended, participants receive $50 to spend on local fruits and vegetables - increasing their access to healthy foods and supporting local farmers at the same time!  This past year we worked with a group of senior citizens that were so excited to receive fresh fruits and vegetables, have an opportunity to socialize together, and learn how to cook on a budget.  The residential coordinator has asked us to return next year because the participants enjoyed it so much!    

While these are our core services, VFP has our tentacles in a lot of other food systems work.  VFP understands that farming is high risk, especially when trying new methods of production.  To mitigate this risk, VFP is slowly building a shared tool/equipment library. We have started with a no-till seed drill, to help make soil health practices more accessible. 2025 was our third year loaning out the drill, with over a 30% use increase.  We are also working to increase wholesale and institutionalize purchasing of local foods, supporting a group of Hispanic farmers to explore the formation of a cooperative, and gathering actors from across the food system to celebrate our strengths and bolster our weaknesses.  

We do hope that you'll feel inspired to join our movement of folks that want to support Western Colorado agriculture and food!