San Luis Valley Farmer and Rancher Community Meeting

July 15, 2019

For Immediate Release

Contact: Alfonso Abeyta, 719-580-5991

National Latino Farmers and Ranchers Colorado

San Luis Valley Farmer and Rancher Community Meeting

Antonito, Colorado - A meeting of farmers and ranchers from  the San Luis Valley will take place at Our Lady of Guadalupe/ Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Parish Hall 6631 County Road 13 Conejos, Colorado 81129 (The Oldest Church in Colorado). The meeting hosted by National Latino Farmer and Ranchers, Rural Coalition, will include the USDA, National Resources Conservation Service, to engage farmers and ranchers on their operations, conservation plans and how to access USDA programs and resources.  Panel participants from USDA will include: Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, Federal Housing Administration and will be moderated by Antonito Mayor Aaron Abeyta.

The community farm and ranch gathering is scheduled for Monday July 22, 2019, 6PM at the Parish Hall. Traditional native food and refreshments will be served.  Antonito, Colorado will also host a poetry slam between Colorado and New Mexico.

The San Luis Valley is a region in south- central Colorado with a small portion overlapping into New Mexico. It is the headwaters of the Rio Grande. It contains six counties and portions of three others. The San Luis Valley was ceded to the United States by Mexico following the Mexican- American war.