2026 Ag Awareness Week A Success!
Ag Awareness Week: A Community Rooted in Agriculture
Agriculture is more than an industry in Western Colorado, it’s a way of life, a foundation of our economy, and a defining part of our landscape and identity.
Over ten days in March, the first-ever Ag Awareness Week brought that reality into focus. Organized through the Business Incubator Center’s AgriWest Initiative, the week united producers, partners, students, and community members in a shared effort to elevate awareness and appreciation for agriculture across Mesa County.
This was more than a series of events. It was a community coming together around something that matters.
A Week of Connection, Learning, and Visibility
From the opening Meat-In event to workshops, farm tours, and community gatherings, Ag Awareness Week created opportunities for people to engage directly with agriculture in meaningful ways.
Across the region, partners hosted events that showcased the diversity and depth of agriculture, from livestock production and conservation practices to local food systems and emerging challenges facing producers today.
At Colorado Mesa University’s Party in the Plaza, more than 150 students and community members engaged with agricultural organizations, while CMU rodeo team members and agriculture students played an active role in supporting events throughout the week. Their involvement brought a strong next-generation presence to the initiative an important reminder that the future of agriculture depends on those stepping into it.
At the Business Incubator Center, a 4-H livestock showcase and targeted grazing demonstration gave attendees the opportunity to experience agriculture up close—connecting youth, producers, and the community through hands-on learning and conversation.
Bringing the Conversation to the Community
Ag Awareness Week was designed not just to inform, but to start conversations.
Through events like the AgriWest Coffee Club, conservation meetings, and producer-led experiences, community members were invited to better understand the realities, challenges, and opportunities within agriculture today.
The week also highlighted broader issues impacting the industry—from drought and land use to succession planning and the long-term sustainability of food production in Western Colorado.
A Powerful Finale: World Without Cows
The week culminated with a full house at the Asteria Theatre for a special pre-screening of the documentary World Without Cows.
The film explored the global role of cattle through environmental, nutritional, cultural, and economic perspectives, setting the stage for a thoughtful and engaging community discussion.
Following the screening, a panel featuring Emily Stackhouse (Alltech), Janie VanWinkle (AgriWest Fellow), Dr. John Ritten (Colorado State University), and CMU student Wylee Mitchell brought together national expertise, local leadership, and next-generation insight.
The conversation reflected exactly what Ag Awareness Week set out to do: create space for meaningful dialogue about the future of agriculture.
Rooted in Community, Built for the Future
Ag Awareness Week was a first-of-its-kind effort and a clear demonstration of what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose.
It brought visibility to the people behind our food systems.
It created new connections between producers and the public.
It elevated the role agriculture plays in shaping our region’s economy and identity.
Most importantly, it laid the groundwork for what comes next.
Through the AgriWest Initiative, the Business Incubator Center is committed to continuing this work supporting producers, strengthening local food systems, and ensuring agriculture remains a vital part of Western Colorado’s future.
This Is Just the Beginning
The success of Ag Awareness Week reflects the strength of the agricultural community and the willingness of partners across the region to step forward and try something new.
It also signals something bigger: a growing recognition that agriculture deserves visibility, investment, and ongoing support.
This was the first year.
And it won’t be the last.
Janie VanWinkle Moose Radio Interview
Ag Awareness Week Spotlight: Janie VanWinkle on the Importance of Agriculture in Western Colorado
As part of Ag Awareness Week (March 14–24), we’re highlighting the voices and conversations that help deepen understanding of the role agriculture plays in our region.
In this interview with Tom Sheldon of MBC Grand Broadcasting, AgriWest Fellow Janie VanWinkle shares insights on the economic impact of agriculture, the importance of supporting producers, and the events taking place throughout the week, including the culminating World Without Cows documentary screening.
From local food systems to land stewardship and the future of ranching in Western Colorado, this conversation underscores why agriculture remains foundational to our community.
Interview Transcript:
transcript-Janie Moose Interview
Tom Sheldon:
Janie VanWinkle is here joining us right now. Welcome. Good morning. It’s always good to see you.
Janie VanWinkle:
Thank you, Tom. I’m super glad to be here and talk about Ag Awareness Week.
Tom:
So it all started Saturday out at the Mesa County Fairgrounds with Meat-In Day.
Janie VanWinkle:
We served over 1,400 hot dogs and hamburgers.
Tom:
That was what, the fourth year you guys did that?
Janie VanWinkle:
This is the fourth year, yes. And the title of the event now is Meat-In Mesa County. It’s a great opportunity to come out and celebrate livestock producers. The Mesa County Cattlemen’s Board of Directors did a great job putting that together.
Tom:
Where would we be without agriculture here in Mesa County? It would be devastating.
Janie VanWinkle:
Absolutely. We just completed an ag economic impact study at the Business Incubator Center. Over 9,000 jobs are supported by agriculture in a five-county area here, with $281 million in GDP. So there is a significant impact—similar to manufacturing in Mesa County.
Tom:
Why is it important for us to be aware of agriculture, farming, ranching?
Janie VanWinkle:
When you’re cycling on East Orchard Mesa through the orchards, driving the open roads on the west end of the valley around row crop farms, or mountain biking, you’re seeing the impact of agriculture. It’s a big part of what makes Western Colorado Western Colorado.
There’s multiple use on federal lands—grazing, recreation—and agricultural producers are good stewards of the land. It’s a big part of our community and culture.
This week, we have several events:
The Mesa Conservation District annual meeting on Wednesday
A 4-H showcase and targeted grazing demonstration at the Business Incubator Center on Friday
A Coffee Club conversation at FWorks in Fruita
You can find more information about all of these events on the GJ Incubator website.
Tom:
Why are my beef prices so high?
Janie VanWinkle:
It’s simple Econ 101—supply and demand. Demand has grown for a high-quality product, and producers have worked hard to meet consumer expectations.
At the same time, Mesa County has lost about 40% of its cattle from the 2017 to 2022 census. We’ll likely see more decline in the next census. The primary reason is drought.
Another factor is succession. When producers sell out—often at 65 or 75 years old—they’re not coming back. That raises important questions about the next generation and how we support them. That’s part of the work we’re doing through the AgriWest Initiative.
Tom:
If I want more information about Ag Awareness Week, where can I get it?
Janie VanWinkle:
Visit gjincubator.org, or you can reach out to me directly.
One last thing—we’re hosting a screening of the documentary World Without Cows on March 24 at the Asteria Theatre. It’s free, but registration is required. The film explores a global perspective of what our world would look like without cows—from cultural, nutritional, and environmental angles. We’d love to see a strong turnout and have a great community conversation.
Tom:
How do I register for tickets?
Janie VanWinkle:
You can register on the GJ Incubator website.