Roots of Renewal

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Montrose, CO
Roots of Renewal

The conference is for anyone with an interest in the future of agriculture, including: ranchers, farmers, gardeners, students, and ag professionals.

Roots of Renewal (formerly Western CO Soil Health, Food and Farm Forum) is an educational conference for producers and those interested in the future of Western Colorado Agriculture that takes place each January in Montrose, CO. The conference has a wide array of breakout sessions which convey vital regionally-specific agricultural information in areas including maximizing crop and livestock produ

ction, innovative agricultural marketing and management strategies, and specialty crops. Whether you’re looking to improve or innovate on your existing practices, the forum has myriad resources and networking opportunities.

04/18/2026

Farming and ranching demand resilience—but that doesn’t mean carrying everything alone.

At Roots of Renewal, the Cultivating Resilience panel created space for an honest and necessary conversation about the mental health challenges facing agricultural communities. From long hours and financial pressure to isolation and uncertainty, this session centered the people behind the work.

Featuring leaders from Colorado AgriAbility, the panel shared not only the realities producers face, but also the resources, tools, and community-based approaches that can help support well-being in rural communities.

What stood out most was this: resilience isn’t just an individual responsibility—it’s something we build together.

Through open dialogue, shared experiences, and practical strategies, this session reminded us that supporting mental health is essential to sustaining farms, ranches, and the communities that depend on them.

Grateful for the voices that led this conversation—and for a community willing to show up for one another. If you or someone you know could use support, here are a few resources shared and discussed:
📞 Colorado Crisis Services: Call or text 988 (24/7)
🌾 Colorado AgriAbility Project: support for agricultural producers facing physical or mental health challenges
🤝 CO Dept of Agriculture & local partners: connections to regional programs and support networks

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN Colorado Department of Agriculture

03/31/2026

Can you believe it’s almost time to start planning Roots of Renewal 2027? We’re still carrying so many ideas from this year—and now we’re already looking ahead.

As we begin shaping next year’s program, we want to hear from you:
What topics are you most interested in exploring?
What challenges are you facing on your farm or ranch?
What skills, tools, or conversations would be most valuable to you?

Roots of Renewal is built with this community, and your input helps ensure the event stays relevant, practical, and grounded in real-world needs.

Drop your ideas in the comments or send us a message—we’re listening. 👇🌾

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN

03/26/2026

Missed a session? Want to revisit what you learned? Or couldn’t attend in person this year? You can access Roots of Renewal 2026 digital content—bringing 10 hours of practical, producer-led learning straight to you.

This includes keynote presentations by Glenn Elzinga of Alderspring Ranch and Helga Garcia Garza of Agri-Cultura Network, along with a host of sessions on topics ranging from predator management to John-Su compost. Whether you’re catching up or digging deeper, this content gives you the flexibility to learn on your own time, at your own pace—and apply ideas directly to your operation.

🎥 See the list of recorded sessions and purchase access for just $30 here:
👉 rootsofrenewalco.org/register-now

Because the learning doesn’t stop when the event ends. 🌱

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN Agri-Cultura Network

03/18/2026

As we head into the growing season, it’s not just equipment and seed that need attention—your financials matter just as much. 📊🌱

At Roots of Renewal 2026, Jenny Beiermann (CSU Extension) reminded us that strong operations are built on clear financial understanding. In her workshop, Farm Financial Fundamentals, we dug into the tools that help turn uncertainty into informed decisions.

Because knowing your numbers means:
You understand where your operation stands today
You can plan for tight margins or variable seasons
You can make confident decisions about inputs, expansion, or risk

Participants walked away with practical skills to build and use the three core financial statements—balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow—and how to apply them to real-world farm decisions. From budgeting to enterprise analysis, the focus was on tools you can actually use as the season unfolds.

As you prepare for the months ahead, this is your reminder:
Good records don’t just track the past—they help shape the future of your operation.

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN

03/12/2026

We’re excited to thank Barn Owl Precision Ag for joining Roots of Renewal this year as first-time sponsors and vendors.

Barn Owl Precision Ag helps farmers and ranchers make smarter, more efficient decisions through precision agriculture tools and data-driven insights. By supporting producers with technologies that improve nutrient management, reduce input costs, and enhance soil health, their work helps strengthen both farm profitability and environmental stewardship.

Having companies like Barn Owl Precision Ag at Roots of Renewal gives attendees the opportunity to explore innovative tools that can support more resilient and efficient operations.

Thank you, Barn Owl Precision Ag, for investing in the Western Slope agricultural community and for being part of this year’s gathering. 🌾

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN

03/07/2026

Roots of Renewal is built on the belief that strong agricultural communities are inclusive, collaborative, and representative of everyone working the land. Our Agricultores program and committee play a vital role in making that vision real.

Throughout the year-long planning process, this dedicated group worked to ensure the conference included relevant programming, welcoming spaces, and meaningful participation for Agricultores from across the Western Slope. Their guidance helped shape sessions, outreach, and community connections so that the knowledge shared at Roots of Renewal reflects the full diversity of our agricultural community.

This work would not be possible without the commitment of our incredible partners:
🌾 Region 10 Small Business Development Center
🌾 Colorado Department of Agriculture – Inspection & Consumer Services Division
🌾 Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
🌾 Colorado State University Extension
🌾 Valley Food Partnership

Thank you to the Agricultores committee and partners for the thoughtful work you do year-round to ensure Roots of Renewal continues to grow as a space for learning, connection, and opportunity for all who feed our communities. 🌾

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN

03/05/2026

Water variability is a reality every irrigator on the Western Slope understands. In his session “Gated Pipe and the Dry Times,” Paul Kehmeier from the Delta Conservation District shared a practical approach to adapting irrigation systems when water supplies fall short.

Paul walked attendees through an innovative method for converting traditional gated pipe irrigation into highly efficient drip irrigation during dry years—allowing producers to stretch limited water supplies while maintaining productivity in their fields.

For many Roots of Renewal participants, the value of this session was its practicality. Instead of requiring entirely new systems, the approach builds on infrastructure many irrigators already have, offering a flexible strategy to respond when snowpack and water allocations don’t go as planned.

As drought cycles become more common across the West, tools like this give farmers and ranchers more options to adapt, conserve water, and keep operations viable even in difficult seasons.

Did you attend Paul's session? Let us know if you plan to put this to work on your operation👇

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN Delta Conservation District

03/03/2026

We’re grateful to Fungal Link for being a sponsor and vendor at Roots of Renewal 2026. Their presence brings cutting-edge soil biology directly into the hands of producers looking to strengthen their land from the ground up.

Fungal Link provides specialized soil testing and biological analysis services that help farmers and ranchers better understand what’s happening beneath the surface. By examining microbial communities, fungal-to-bacterial ratios, and soil life indicators, they give producers practical insight into how management practices are influencing soil health.

For farmer and ranchers, that means access to:
🌱 Biological soil assessments
🔬 Microscopy and microbial insights
🌾 Guidance on improving soil structure and function
📊 Data that supports informed, regenerative decision-making

Understanding soil biology isn’t abstract—it’s foundational. And companies like Fungal Link help bridge science and practice so producers can build healthier, more resilient systems. Thank you, Fungal Link, for supporting this community and for helping growers see the living systems that make regeneration possible.

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN

02/27/2026

After a full day of workshops and big ideas, nothing beats gathering around a warm bowl of chili, live music playing, boots tapping, and farmers and ranchers finally letting loose on the dance floor. A huge thank-you to Alpine Bank for sending an incredible crew of volunteers to serve at our Chili Dinner at Bluecorn Café & Mercantile!

Alpine Bank’s volunteers showed up with smiles, aprons, and a whole lot of energy—helping keep lines moving so our ag community could relax, connect, and celebrate together. Events like this remind us that agriculture isn’t just about hard work—it’s also about community, laughter, and a little two-stepping at the end of the day.

We’re so grateful to Alpine Bank for supporting not just the conference, but the fun that keeps this community strong. Here’s to good chili, good music, and good neighbors.

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN

02/18/2026

We’re grateful to Mighty Arrow Foundation for being a first-time sponsor of Roots of Renewal and for the meaningful work they do to support people, land, and community.

Mighty Arrow Foundation’s commitment to long-term, values-driven investment aligns deeply with the heart of Roots of Renewal. Their support helps strengthen initiatives that prioritize stewardship, resilience, and the well-being of rural and agricultural communities—work that is essential as producers navigate a changing landscape.

First-time sponsors like Mighty Arrow Foundation play an important role in expanding what’s possible, helping ensure that gatherings like Roots of Renewal remain accessible, grounded, and focused on real-world impact.

Thank you for stepping into this community and for investing in a regenerative future for agriculture and the Western Slope. 🌾

Valley Food Partnership Colorado Regenerative Network - CRN

Address

PO Box 3152
Montrose, CO

Website

http://www.rootsofrenewalco.org/

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