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About the Specialty Crops Program
at Colorado State University
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With much of Colorado's agriculture in the
throes
of a significant downturn, as well as experiencing increased competition for land and water resources, and increased international competition for markets, specialty crops are offering growers alternatives to consider. This class of unique and varied crops quite often produces high returns per acre, but requires a relatively high degree of management. |
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The Specialty Crops Program at Colorado State University aims to help growers master production systems, and explore and develop market opportunities for their specialty crops. Included in this class of specialty crops are vegetable, nursery, fruit, turf, ornamental, fiber, and herbs. Excluded from the program's intent are feed grains and oil crops. |
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CSU's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture has been able to initiate the first five years of the Specialty Crops Program (SCP) thanks to funding awarded from the USDA, through the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The coordinator of the program, Frank Stonaker, was hired in July 2002 to develop and administer the program's research, demonstration and outreach activities. |
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In light of growing interest in organic production, the recently implemented National Organic Standards ruling, and a shortage of organically produced seed, the SCP hosted an intensive seed production short course in January of 2003, focusing on producing organic vegetable seed.
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The SCP hosted two field days during the summer of 2003. In June, growers, university staff and students, and extension agents were invited to view on-going Projects that the Specialty Crops Program was conducting at the CSU Horticultural Research Center such as the garlic winter mulch and irrigation treatment study, the medicinal herb, artichoke, and specialty melon demonstrations, a flame weeding demonstration, and the lettuce bolting study. In September, the public observed the lettuce bolting study, specialty melon, and artichoke variety trials. |
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In 2004, the Rocky Mountain Small Organic Farm Project was initiated, expanding the scope of research to include projects reflecting the needs of organic market producers. Two well attended field days presented the work to growers, researchers, extension agents, and students. |
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See our Calendar of Events for more details on past and future events including local conferences co-hosted by the Specialty Crops Program.
The Specialty Crops Program also provides internships for students. |
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For more information about the Specialty Crops Program at CSU, please contact Frank Stonaker at 970-491-7068, or e-mail Frank.Stonaker@colostate.edu. |
Last updated 2/3/06
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