Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center

08/26/2026

Tonight at the Trade & Post in Del Norte is Beyond the Embers! This film explores the lasting effects of wildfire and flooding highlighting how lessons from the past can help communities prepare for the future.

🌲 Doors open at 7:00 PM
🎥 Film begins at 7:30 PM

08/17/2026

Colorado Cattlemen's Association's Ag Water NetWORK will be hosting a free webinar "Farming with Biochar: Water, Nutrient Retention, and Yield Results" on Tuesday, Aug. 25 from 12-1.

PRESENTERS
Michael Lobato: a small acreage farmer and researcher at CSU's Fruita Experiment Station will discuss findings from a multi-year biochar trial on irrigated forage. Water and nutrient applications and soil and forage quality were monitored. Biochar injected into the soil at the start of the experiment has increased soil moisture retention and nutrient availability when compared to the control (non-treated) strips. Hay yields were also measured, with some surprising results.

Glenn Wollam: a Weld County farmer will discuss how he has mixed biochar with composted manure, yard waste and spent brewers’ yeast to increase drought resilience and yield on wheat, barley and other crops. Glenn has been using a compost-biochar mix on both irrigated and dryland fields.

TOPICS COVERED
Types of biochar being utilized
Biochar application and mixing rates with other amendments
Soil testing results and soil moisture comparisons at varying depths
Forage and crop yield differences
Limitations and things to know

Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YNDYxXfDSG-SaayINPcgYQ #/registration

08/14/2026

Was great to share a part of the morning at the Rio Grande Farm Park with the University of Denver's Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs' Colorado 2.0 Project to learn about the Park's history and its impact on local families and our food systems.

Thanks to all those from throughout the state who came to spend a couple of days in the San Luis Valley to learn about local projects and organizations working to enhance the quality of life in this special place.

Just a reminder that there is still time to sign up for the fall Water 101 class at Adams. Scholarships are available for students to cover some of the course fee and for community members to cover the auditing fee. Class starts Tuesday, Aug. 25th! Reach out to [email protected] for more info.

08/12/2026

Adams State University community: Here's your chance to win $500 for the best design for the City of Alamosa's Stormwater Drain Mural Competition.

Deadline is Aug. 20, so get sketching!🎨🖌

07/31/2026

The Mosca-Hooper Conservation District would like to invite you to their Farmer-to-Farmer Field Day on Saturday, August 8th.

The event will begin and end at the Rio Grande Farm Park (6935 CO-17 Alamosa) starting at Noon. Lunch will be provided, along with transportation to the sites, and Spanish Interpretation will be available.

If you are able to attend, please send RSVP by August 1st to [email protected].

07/30/2026

I received my copy yesterday and am into the first few chapters. Really enjoying the book and learning about Ken's love for the Valley. Stop by Narrow Gauge to get your book signed this Saturday!

The Narrow Gauge Book Cooperative is pleased to announce that Ken Salazar will be in store for a book talk and signing This Saturday, August 1st at 11am!

The event begins at 11am, with remarks from Adams State University President David Tandberg, followed by a talk from Ken Salazar and a book signing for his book Borderlands: My Fight for an Inclusive America
There will be time for brief interviews with the press at the event.

07/29/2026

There are less than two weeks to apply for The Nature Conservancy's Colorado Conservation Fellowship Program!

TNC is looking for a San Luis Valley Community Fellow to support outreach and programming with a wide range of community organizations and help organize community events at Zapata Ranch Preserve. 🦬

For more information, scan the QR code or visit: https://tinyurl.com/mruyneyx

07/24/2026

If you live in Alamosa, come add your voice to improve our community.

Numerous opportunities exist to review comments and provide feedback as part of the city's "We Are Alamosa" comprehensive planning effort. And if you have thoughts about local water use, here's a great chance to help steer our water future.

See flyers for meeting times. and if you can't attend, here's a quick survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdL004QnAjQyl1r2kB2Un4t89EFgMlkVlSfmgEmsYOND7A77g/viewform

07/22/2026

Here's another great opportunity to participate in a valley mural project, this time to support our local agriculture community.

07/21/2026

Designing for Adaptation: A Symposium

📆Saturday, July 25, 2026, 1:30 pm - 6:00 pm, reception 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

📍Adams State University | The Banquet room, Student Union Building | 1603 First St., Alamosa, CO 81101

Free admission, but please RSVP in advance.

This event is hosted by the The Wright-Ingraham Institute in partnership with Adams State University and regional collaborators across the San Luis Valley and northern New Mexico.

This event is the culminating public gathering of the Wright-Ingraham Institute's 2026 Field Workshop, Designing for Adaptation in a Time of Prolonged Drought. Over three weeks, fellows have worked alongside farmers, water managers, land stewards, conservation practitioners, and community leaders to explore what drought adaptation might look like in the San Luis Valley and Taos Plateau.

The Institute’s programs connect scientists, designers, artists, and community leaders to address the ecological and social pressures shaping landscapes across the American West. WII’s Field Workshop is its signature educational program, training graduate students and early-career practitioners to grow as integrative thinkers through field observation, systems thinking, participatory design, and direct collaboration with regional partners.

Read more about this year’s Field Workshop program, partners, and fellowship cohort here: https://wright-ingraham.org/field-workshops/fw2026/

The Designing for Adaptation symposium is supported by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Gates Family Foundation.