UCCS Calls on Local Grain Producers & Business Owners

August 31, 2023

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs, in conjunction with the Colorado Grain Chain, is offering an educational online series about grain this winter and spring. Scholarships are available for local grain producers as well as business owners of grain-oriented businesses. The Good Food Collective is taking charge of gleaning in our community this harvest season. Gleaning is the art of harvesting fruit that would otherwise go unused. Tickets for the 2023 Sunflower Shorts Play Festival are on sale now. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Choice Building Supply and Southwest Health Systems

Learn More...

Colorado Grain Chain - https://www.coloradograinchain.com/events/uccs-grain-school-online

Good Food Collective - https://www.goodfoodcollective.org/

Sunflower Theater - https://sunflowertheatre.org/

University of Colorado Colorado Springs - https://www.uccs.edu/

UCCS Grain School - https://outreach.uccs.edu/grain

Choice Building Supply - https://www.acehardware.com/store-details/06453

Southwest Health Systems - https://www.swhealth.org/

Read the Full Transcript

There's a new push to help local grain producers learn more about their craft. And as we head into harvest season the Good Food collective is bringing the community together to keep as many fruits and veggies from going to waste as possible. And six local playwrights will debut new short plays at this season's Sunflower Shorts Play Festival. You're watching the local News Roundup, brought to you by Choice Building Supply and Southwest Health System. I'm Connor Shreve. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is offering three classes as part of its online grain school this winter and spring. The course is offer a deep dive into the wide array of grains through the lenses of crop science, nutrition, and community. Topics will include ancient grain pathways from grain handling and processing including milling and malting to the hands-on application things like making pizza, pasta, and protein bowls. The UN has named 2023 the year of the millet. To celebrate all three classes will include millet from farming to processing, nutrition, and health and culinary uses. The three classes will be farming and processing health and nutrition and community. You can take one class for $150 or all three for 400, scholarships are available for Colorado farmers and grain focused businesses. To pre-register and apply for a scholarship go to coloradograinchain.com. The Good Food Collective is looking for help in making sure less food goes to waste by providing a place for gleaners and tree owners to connect online. Gleaning is the practice of harvesting otherwise unused fruits and veggies from local backyards and farms to get them to people who need and want them. Doing so helps reduce food waste saves bears and feeds the community. Tree owners can list their trees on the Good Food Collective website where harvesters can check out the list of available trees and fruits available for harvest. The Fruit Tree Registry is also used by the Good Food Collective to organize community gleaning events. Learn more at goodfoodcollective.org. After months of preparation, the 2023 edition of the Sunflower Shorts Play Festival is ready to debut. The Sunflower Troupe will show six short original plays from four Corners authors performed on stage at the Sunflower Theater starting September 8th. The September 8th and 9th shows will start at 7:00 PM with a matinee on September 10th at two. Tickets are $20 at the door or online at sunflowertheater.org. You can learn more about these and other stories at motezumalocal.news. Thanks for watching this edition of the Local News Roundup. I'm Connor Shreve.

Christmas Trees for Conservation

San Juan Mountains Association is holding its Christmas Trees for Conservation fundraiser. Come pick up your Christmas tree and support stewardship and conservation education on Southwest Colorado’s public land. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by FLC Center for Innovation and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers.

Winter Arts and Crafts

Looking for a good cozy winter activity? Get your copy of the Historic Cortez Coloring Book, featuring artwork from over 20 local artists. The book, released earlier this year, has multiple designs inspired by Southwest Colorado and Montezuma County and is perfect for coloring enthusiasts and beginners alike. The Town of Dolores has put out a call to artists of all ages for a new logo design. With three age categories available, there’s a chance for everyone to show off their design skills. Submit your design by the end of December, and the winning logo will be announced Jan. 31, 2025. The Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce invites you to the annual community holiday gathering Thursday, Dec. 12 at Moondog Cafe and Bakery. Celebrate the holidays with the awards ceremony for the Person of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Business of the Year, and Cowboy/Cowgirl of the Year. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Hospice of Montezuma.

Join the Parade! Entry Forms Due by Nov. 30

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Local Food & Farms Investment

The Good Food Collective helped 16 local food producers earn business-improving grants from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Local retailers are using the funds for infrastructure improvements to help provide fresh food to underserved areas. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Festival of Wreaths and Mancos Valley Annual Awards

Tour more than 50 wreaths downtown Cortez during Community Connections’ 5th Annual Festival of Wreaths. The festival will be held Monday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 8. Dolores’ annual Turkey Trot is happening at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. Vitalant is conducting a blood drive for the Dolores community on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Dolores Community Center. Nominations for Mancos Valley Annual Awards are due on Thursday, Dec. 5 with winners announced at the Mancos Chamber Community Holiday Gathering on Thursday, Dec. 12. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Keesee Motor Company and Hospice of Montezuma.

Carute Roma Brings Gypsy Tunes to the Sunflower Theatre this Saturday

The Sunflower Theatre is celebrating two decades of music with local band Carute Roma on Saturday, November 16th at 6:30 p.m. Mancos Public Library is holding an evening of land education titled, “Our Common Ground: Why You Cannot Fence the Forest” on November 20th featuring author and professor Dr. Andrew Gulliford. The Mancos Art Market will be held on Sunday, December 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at several locations around Mancos. Zu Gallery’s monthly Four Corners Writers Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, November 20th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.

Esoterra Ciderworks expands into Winemaking

Exciting news for wine lovers in Durango! Following the success of their ciders, Esoterra Ciderworks is expanding into winemaking with the Arboretum—a groundbreaking venue that will transform a 70-acre property into a unique blend of vineyards and apple orchards. From wine tastings and live music to motorboats on the pond for the kids, this venue promises something for the whole family to enjoy. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart and Denise Elliott, State Farm Agent.

Four Corners Writers Anthology Inaugural Event on Nov. 13

The Four Corners Writers Anthology is having its inaugural event on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Cortez Public Library. Mancos FoodShare’s annual winter coat drive has begun and will run through Dec. 16. Clean, gently-used coats, hats and gloves can be dropped off on Mondays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Cortez Public Library will be closed through Monday, Nov. 11, in order to replace the HVAC system. A recent survey from LotteryTexts shows that Coloradans would support the preservation of Mesa Verde National Park if they were to suddenly become wealthy. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Hospice of Montezuma and Keesee Motor Company.

Election Week Rally with Adam Frisch

There’s still time to cast your vote! At a rally in Durango on Oct. 30, Adam Frisch rallied support for his campaign as he emphasized the importance of unity among voters. Frisch, the Democratic candidate for Colorado's Third Congressional District, called for collaboration between parties to elevate rural voices in Washington. With Election Day approaching, he urged everyone to make their voices heard at the polls. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and FLC Center for Innovation.