The BCCD Board of Supervisors welcomed a new team member as a result of the May election:  Todd Randolph. 

    “Todd’s family moved here from California in 1969.  Todd attended K-12 in Walsh and was active in 4-H and FFA.  In Jr. High Todd had planned to own his own farm someday, first he needed a wife (Mary) and some children (T.C., & Leslie) which he acquired in Lamar (89-90).

  In April of 1994 we had the good fortune of being able to purchase our first piece of land East of Walsh with the help of FSA.  In 1998 we were able to add to our original purchase which brings us to current 2008.  We are currently getting T.C. ready for his second year of college and Leslie will decide her direction this coming May 2009.  We are currently preparing for the empty nest.   

  Todd understands that in our arid, fragile climate there is a need for a solid conservation program to be in place.  He looks forward to serving on the board and working with the staff.”

~ Mary Randolph

 BCCD is working with Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU), Southeast Colorado RC&D, and many other partners to host a 2008 Farm Bill Workshop Thursday, August 14th in Lamar. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. in the Empire Room at the Best Western Cow Palace Inn. There will be brief presentations followed by an in-depth question-and-answer session. This is the ag producer’s opportunity to ask questions and to provide input from the field prior to the policy development stage of the Farm Bill.

  Katy Zeigler, National Farmers Union VP of Govern-ment Relations, will be the keynote speaker. Experts from farm and commodity groups, conservation  organizations, rural banking and crop insurance will also be on hand to discuss Farm Bill details.

  RMFU President Kent Peppler, a Mead, CO Farmer, said, “It took two years to reach compromises that protect our food and energy security without hurting the environment or breaking the budget. Nearly two-thirds of the funding goes to nutrition, conservation, and energy programs, but it also addresses specific interest of food, fuel and fiber producers and rural communities. It addresses many issues that are important in the Rocky Mountain region. We are pleased that we have been able to build a team of experts who can help rural families understand how the bill affects them.”