Welcome to Food for Thought

Hurd secures $1M appropriation to rebuild potato research station storage

Colorado’s potato supply relies heavily on the San Luis Valley, where CSU’s San Luis Valley Research Center has long supported local growers. After a 2018 storm destroyed the center’s potato storage unit, staff learned this week that Rep. Jeff Hurd has secured $1 million to rebuild it. The restored facility is essential to supporting the Valley’s nearly $500 million potato industry. “Farmers need proper storage to keep potatoes viable. For potato research and breeding, we also need to store them through the winter in conditions that keep them healthy and alive,” explains Dr. Amy Charkowski, Associate Dean for Research. Read More

This vineyard now grows power, too

At the CSU Western Colorado Research Center–Orchard Mesa, state viticulturist and professor Horst Caspari is growing about a quarter acre of chardonnay grapes beneath a canopy of solar panels in a system known as agrivoltaics. “We can produce solar energy, and we can produce a crop underneath,” Caspari says. This approach not only supports energy generation and food production but can also help protect crops from frost and hail. Read More

Solar farms can be havens for rare plants. Just ask the threecorner milkvetch.

Solar projects are increasingly being designed to support surrounding ecosystems. In the Mojave Desert, an ecovoltaic approach preserves native soils and allows rare species like the threecorner milkvetch to rebound after construction. At the same time, researchers are exploring agrivoltaics, where crops are grown beneath solar panels. Profitability is essential for farmers adopting the practice: “If you’re going to grow something, you want to grow something that a potential farmer could sell for decent profit…You name the crop, and there’s interest,” says Jennifer Bousselot, associate professor of horticulture and landscape architecture. Read More

A look at the long-lasting impacts of equine therapy at the National Western Stock Show

The Temple Grandin Equine Center is a place of second chances and incredible firsts. Horses donated by their owners have a second life as therapy horses, providing equine assisted therapy to children with autism and different developmental and physical disabilities. “I get to observe children say their first word… I’ve seen a child that didn’t have the ability to crawl literally learn to crawl by putting on their hands and knees on the horse’s back. I’ve seen children — many, many children — take their first steps in our arena,” says Adam Daurio, director of the Temple Grandin Equine Center. Read More

Former Future Leader pursuing dream of veterinary care in Colorado

Lexi Meier, a junior majoring in animal science, is on a pre-veterinary track with the goal of working with either livestock or exotic animals. “I love all the hands-on experience I get through CSU,” she says of the opportunities she’s had, including raising a calf and tracking its growth at ARDEC. Meier is a former Future Leaders winner, a CBS Colorado initiative to recognize Colorado high school students who excel in STEM. Read More

The Maggie Wellman equation: curiosity, courage, and changing course

Maggie Wellman arrived at CSU as a chemistry major, but the disruption of the COVID 19 pandemic made her realize she didn’t want a long-term career in a lab. She found her academic fit in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, where her chemistry background helped her connect science with environmental and economic problem solving. Thanks to the Michael Smith Alumni Scholarship, she was able to change paths without added debt. Her journey shows that success often follows a non linear path, and that ag needs all kinds of minds. Read More

The executive vice president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association is a woman who won’t slow down

Erin Karney Spaur is the first woman to serve as executive vice president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and is a two-time CSU CAS graduate, earning a B.S. in both animal science and agricultural business and an M.S. in meat science. As a student, she was also part of the Meat Judging Team and the Seedstock Merchandising Team. Today, she’s helping ranchers through one of the toughest times in Colorado’s agricultural history. Read More

Garrett Fong’s leadership cultivates success in high school agriculture program

Garrett Fong, a CSU graduate with a B.S. in agricultural education and recipient of the Charles M. Shepardson award, is expanding Pagosa Springs High School’s CTE agriculture program as its agricultural science teacher and FFA advisor. Enrollment is rising, especially among young women. Fong plans to enhance food and animal science pathways, introduce aquaculture, and offer tractor safety certification. His leadership is revitalizing FFA and preparing students for agricultural and natural resource careers through hands on learning and community support. Read More

The world needs all kinds of minds: wise words from Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin, renowned animal sciences professor, emphasizes the importance of diverse thinkers in agriculture and the valuable skills students gain through FFA. “One thing FFA does really well is teaching the students discipline, running a meeting in a very disciplined way and getting them used to talking in public. There are so many students today that are afraid to raise their hands and talk in class,” she says. Read More

Climate researchers at CSU capture cow burps

At CSU ARDEC, about 250 head of cattle are participating in a new study where researchers are capturing their burps and measuring methane with the goal of reducing the gas. While livestock only accounts for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it’s a small piece of an important puzzle. “So it may be that we are able to identify a solution that not only reduces methane emissions but also makes these guys more productive and essentially healthier and happier in their environments,” says Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, director of AgNext. Read More

Applause, Upcoming Events, and Announcements

• CSU-TAPS recognized top farm management teams and honored program partners during its 2025 CSU-TAPS banquet on Jan. 10. A total of six cash awards totaling $6,800 were presented to competition winners, recognizing agricultural management performance in profitability, yield and input use efficiency (for irrigation and nutrients).
• Students in the Landscape Design and Contracting program are seeking community clients for their spring capstone projects. Projects will be completed by the end of finals week in May. Interested in partnering? Fill out the Community Design Services form.
• The Department of Agricultural Biology is accepting applications for the Summer 2026 Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates. Students receive housing, meals, travel reimbursement and a $5,500 stipend while working with a faculty mentor on projects in entomology, plant pathology, weed science or molecular biology during this eight week, hands on research and extension summer program. See the website for more details – applications are due by April 3.