Earlier this year, Strohauer Farms, based in LaSalle, CO, launched a potato program in northeastern New Mexico. Harry Strohauer, owner/grower, said the move was brought about by water shortages in Colorado, and a portion of his conventional bulk potatoes were grown in the neighboring state, then brought to Colorado for packing and shipping.

Conventional Yukons from New Mexico started in late July, followed by russets in early August.

“The move to New Mexico this season has been positive,” the longtime Colorado farmer said in late August. “The overall crop quality has been really good. Our current farms are located in northeast corner of New Mexico so there is a possibility that we may grow into Oklahoma and Texas as well. Right now we are exploring the options of expanding our organic and specialty onion programs as well to this area.”

LaSalle, located north of Denver, is in an area particularly hard-hit by water issues.

“Strohauer Farm’s decision to move a portion of our operation to New Mexico was prompted by the inability to find enough ground with secure source of water to keep our potato acreage at the same level,” Strohauer explained. He also discussed area well shutdowns by state officials.

“With the shutdown of so many wells by the state of Colorado in our area, we lost the backup we had for 50-plus years,” Strohauer said.

“If there were issues with ditches, snowfall, etc. and we lost our surface water at any time during the growing season, [the shutdown of wells means] we are no longer able to pump water from the existing wells that we have to sustain the crops that we have already planted without significant fines and implications.”

Strohauer continues to grow organic and conventional fingerlings and specialty spuds in northern Colorado. The manifest is extensive.

“This year our offerings in the potato category include conventional and organic russet, Yukon Gold, Banana Fingerlings, Rose Finn/Ruby Crescent Fingerlings, all-red Amerosa Fingerlings, French Fingerlings, Purple Peruvian Fingerlings and Purple Fiesta Fingerlings.”

He continued, “The overall crop this year is good. With the renovations in our packing warehouse and the addition of the optic sorter/sizer, new washing and drying equipment, increased cooler capacity and overall streamlining of our sorting and packing operation, we will be able to increase production to meet our customers’ needs. It is also anticipated that these new additions and changes are going to help increase efficiency and push our quality standards to an even higher level.”

About food safety Strohauer said, “This season we will be going through the USDA Produce GAPs Harmonized Audit. This is a fairly huge jump from the previous food-safety audits we have done in the past but our customers are seeking the highest level of food safety possible.”

Strohauer Farms also grows specialty onions in conventional and organic. This season is offering white, red and gold pearl and boiler onions, cipollini onions and shallots.

“As we continue to expand and focus on specialty onions, our goal is to be a one-stop shop as the grower/shipper for all specialty onions and shallots, both organic and conventional, to meet the needs of our customers,” he said.

As he keeps his farming in focus, Strohauer is also concerned about water and other issues in northern Colorado, one of which is secession and formation of a new state, North Colorado. Several counties have moved to put the matter to vote, and the electorate will see secession as a ballot measure in November.

On June 6, the Denver Post quoted U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, as saying, “The people of rural Colorado are mad, and they have every right to be. The governor and his Democrat colleagues in the statehouse have assaulted our way of life, and I don’t blame these people one bit for feeling attacked and unrepresented by the leaders of our state.”

Harry Strohauer told The Produce News, “I am glad that this issue is finally bringing the struggles of Colorado farmers to the eyes of the populace in Colorado and the nation for that matter. We have been struggling to get water to produce food and sustain our way of life while fighting against the state of Colorado who are putting growth and recreation instead of being a leader in agriculture. The chances of it passing are slim but at least more people have a better understanding of the challenges we as farmers face every season.”