AgriWest: Launching a New Initiative2026-02-26T16:19:03-07:00
AgriWest

AgriWest Presents: AG AWARENESS WEEK

March 14th – 21st | Mesa County

“FROM LAVENDER TO LIVESTOCK”

Ag Aware Week is a community-wide awareness initiative focused on the importance of agriculture in Mesa County. From specialty crops to livestock, agriculture plays a vital role in our local economy, environment, and quality of life. This week is designed to bring the community together to learn, connect, and better understand how agriculture shapes our region.

Ag Aware Week is coordinated by AgriWest, with events and activities hosted by agricultural and community organizations across the county. The week kicks off with the Mesa County Cattlemen’s Meat-in and culminates with a special presentation at the Asteria Theatre of a pre-screening of the documentary A World Without Cows.  

Ag Awareness Week Events:

No event found!

Agriculture Economic Impact Study

Thank you to everyone who joined us January 19th, for the launch of the Economic Impact of Agriculture in Western Colorado study. This project has been a major effort over the past several months, and it was meaningful to gather with producers, community leaders, partners, and stakeholders to share what we’ve learned. Most importantly, the event gave us a chance to put real data alongside real experience creating a clearer picture of agriculture’s role in our region and the realities facing producers today.

A special thank you to Dr. Nathan Perry of Colorado Mesa University, who led this work and presented the study findings with a strong mix of research rigor and Western Slope understanding.

The study focuses on five counties, Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Garfield, and Rio Blanco, and includes three key components: agricultural Census trends over time, survey insights from local producers, and an economic contribution model that measures agriculture’s impact through jobs, wages, GDP, and tax revenue. We’re grateful for everyone who helped shape this work, participated in the survey, and contributed to this important regional effort.

Some key takeaways from the report:

  • Agriculture supports 9,123 total jobs across the region

  • Total contribution includes $281.7 million in GDP and $719.1 million in output

  • Agriculture generates $20.3 million in state + local tax revenue, plus $33.9 million federally

  • Producer survey findings show 71.8% have been directly impacted by drought over the past three years

  • Long-term trends raise important questions around farm viability, land use changes, and succession planning

This report is a powerful tool for regional awareness and informed planning, and we encourage community members, partners, and stakeholders to review it in full.

Read the full study HERE

AgriWest

AgriWest is a groundbreaking economic development initiative dedicated to enhancing agricultural sustainability and food security in Western Colorado. Our mission is to diversify the agricultural sector, create jobs, and fortify the local economy. With 40% of the region’s economy tied to agriculture, AgriWest aims to future-proof the industry against challenges like water scarcity and evolving technologies. By connecting local farmers, ranchers, and growers, we preserve our region’s heritage while shaping a resilient agricultural future.

AgriWest

The Business Incubator Center Announces Janie VanWinkle Awarded Fellow for the AgriWest Initiative

Janie VanWinkle has been awarded the AgriWest Fellow by the Economic Recovery Corps through the Business Incubator Center. As a respected rural voice in agriculture, VanWinkle will develop partnerships, secure funding, and promote innovative solutions for western Colorado’s agricultural needs. Her expertise will drive sustainable practices and economic opportunities across the region by facilitating partnerships and providing technical assistance over the 2.5-year fellowship. She will also receive specialized training to amplify impact and foster change in distressed communities.

Read Full Press Release
Janie VanWinkleJanie VanWinkle, a lifelong beef producer from western Colorado, brings extensive experience in land, livestock, and water management, rooted in her upbringing in rural areas along Unaweep Canyon and the Dolores River. Alongside her husband Howard, they manage 550 head of cattle in Mesa County, with their son Dean and daughter-in-law Tayler joining the family business. Holding permits on Forest Service and BLM land, and collaborating with the City of Grand Junction, they prioritize stewardship of the land, livestock, and community partnerships.
Active community leaders, Janie and Howard’s contributions span 4-H leadership, board memberships, and Janie’s presidency of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, earning recognition such as Protect the Harvest’s Friend of the Land and the Colorado Farm Bureau Who’s Who in Ag Trailblazer Award. Through their ranch, they support food security initiatives, supplying high-quality protein to families in need via partnerships like the Food Bank of the Rockies. Janie also shares agricultural insights through her column in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel and maintains a social media presence advocating for responsible agriculture and community engagement.

Stay in the Know!

The Business Incubator Center (BIC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that for more than a quarter century has been supporting the launch, growth, stabilization, and long-term success of business enterprises in Mesa County and the surrounding region.

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