Sarah Ehrlich is the first to admit she doesn’t come from a “traditional” agricultural background.
Unlike most of her friends and neighbors in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, she didn’t grow up on a farm or ranch. Still, the Colorado State University journalism alumna knows that life well after raising pigs in 4-H as a kid and working on CSU’s San Luis Valley research farm where her father, Jim, is a close partner in his role as executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee.
And because of that background, Ehrlich developed a profound love and respect for ag people and culture, and loves nothing better than sharing her ag passion through storytelling.
“I grew up in the middle of nowhere, about 30 minutes south of Alamosa, near the Great San Dunes National Park,” she said. “I don’t think there’s another place like it in the country – it’s very unique – and I love it there. I grew up with a great appreciation for nature and agriculture.”
Despite living nearly 300 miles from Fort Collins, Ehrlich said she comes from a “CSU family.” Her mother, Debbie, worked at a sorority on campus while her father is a CSU alumnus.
After starting her college education at nearby Adams State University, she transferred to CSU – where her love of journalism blossomed. She worked for the student newspaper, The Collegian, as a reporter and photographer.
“My interest in journalism skyrocketed,” she said. “It helped me learn all about CSU and Fort Collins, and it also gave me a huge boost in confidence to interview strangers and then tell their stories. It got in my blood, and I put my heart into every story I wrote.”
She now works as assistant to the department head in Agricultural Biology. She loves being on campus but wanted to expand her knowledge of agricultural issues.
Ehrlich was chosen for a spot in the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program, a two-year initiative that seeks to develop and enhance the leadership capabilities of people from diverse background committed to the future of Colorado’s agricultural and rural communities.
“I was dying to be involved in something, to do something outside my comfort zone, and I was lucky enough to be chosen for CALP,” she said. “We’re one year in, and it has been an amazing experience.”
Each CALP class has two main goals:
First, they plan the annual Colorado Ag Forum, which invites anyone interested in agriculture – farmers, ranchers, educators, politicians, etc. – to gather for two days to hear speakers and discuss issues facing producers. The 2024 Ag Forum was held on Feb. 29 at the Westin Hotel in Westminster.
Second, they plan and execute an ag-related personal project. Ehrlich, who loves to cook, is working with Food Bank of Larimer County to set up classes to teach families how to prepare the food they receive.
“The Food Bank does amazing work, but families may not know how to actually cook the food they get and make healthy meals,” she said. “That sparked my idea to teach families about food preparation. I also want to send them home with a crockpot and other cooking supplies to empower them to make better meals.”
In January, 11 families attended Ehrlich’s first class – tamale making – which was hosted in Spanish and English. Participants received a crockpot, local ingredients to take home, and a list of family resources and farmers markets that accept Colorado Electronic Benefits Transfer.
Long-term, Ehrlich wants to continue educating people about the importance of local food systems and outreach programs.
“I don’t consider myself a traditional ag person – I’m just someone who appreciates ag and the culture in rural Colorado,” she said. “I want to be that person who can educate people about the importance of ag in this state.”
