Colorado Reader Feb. 2020: Soil, Water, and Air Stewardship | Page 5

Let’s Ask Kate
Kate Greenberg was appointed to serve as Colorado’s Commissioner of Agriculture by Governor Jared Polis
in December 2019. As Commissioner, Kate provides leadership and direction to the Colorado Department
of Agriculture and its 300 employees. Commissioner Greenberg has worked in agriculture for more than
12 years, from boots-on-the ground experience to advocating for family farmers. While she currently
spends much of her time on Colorado’s Front Range and traveling the state, she still calls Durango home.
Q: What is stewardship
and why is it important to
Colorado agriculture?
save water), and it can even play a part in keeping our earth
cool. There is a lot going on in the soil under our feet!
Commissioner Greenberg: Being
a steward of something
Colorado Commissioner of
means to take care of it.
Agriculture Kate Greenberg
People are stewards of all
kinds of special things, like
friends and family, pets, homes, schools, and other things
they care about. Agriculture is an important part of our
lives. Farmers and ranchers provide the food we eat, the
fabric for our clothing, and help keep our environment
healthy. The success of agriculture is something that
touches all of us, and it’s affected by the weather, laws,
prices, the support of consumers, and many other factors.
It’s very important for people to be stewards of agriculture
in our state of Colorado because we all want and need
healthy food, soil, and water today and in the future. Q: What are Colorado farmers and ranchers doing
to be good stewards of our natural resources?
Q: What do you mean when you say “soil
health”? Does a doctor check the soil? Q: How can students get involved in agriculture?
Commissioner Greenberg: There are many experts--sometimes
called soil scientists--who are focused on the health of
the earth’s soil. Soil is a living, active, natural resource that
agriculture relies on to grow and raise food and other
products. Soil needs care and attention to stay healthy, just
like you. We know that certain practices, like keeping the
ground covered, changing crops from season to season,
and actively managing grazing by livestock can help keep
Colorado’s soil healthy and strong. When it’s healthy, soil
has more nutrients, it can hold more water (which helps

Commissioner Greenberg: Farmers and ranchers have been
excellent stewards of our natural resources for hundreds
of years and that continues today. The way they act as
stewards has changed over the generations, just like life
has changed. They are more concerned than ever before
with taking care of our state’s water, soil, and air because
that’s important to agriculture and to all who eat. At the
Colorado Department of Agriculture, we are working
with farmers and ranchers to create a new Colorado Soil
Health Program that will help farmers and ranchers build
new ways to improve water, soil, and air quality. We also
help farmers and ranchers develop renewable energy on
their land to save money and help the environment.
Commissioner Greenberg: There are many fun and delicious
ways to support agriculture! One good way to start is to
look for and talk to your family about eating foods that are
grown or raised in Colorado--many of these have a “Colorado
Proud” label on them. Visiting local markets and farms is a
fun experience and another place to find Colorado foods.
Help with a community garden, plant your own garden,
or join an ag-focused club like 4-H or FFA. Keep learning
about agriculture. Knowledge is power, and the more
people who know about agriculture, the stronger it will be!
www.GrowingYourFuture.com - 5