Farmers, ranchers and commodity groups from across Colorado gathered Wednesday, March 26, at the state capitol building in Denver to participate in Colorado Agriculture Day.

One very special moment during Ag Day came when the Colorado Ag Council, with donations from other agriculture sources, presented an in-kind and financial donation of $973,000 to Feeding Colorado, an association of five Feeding America food banks in Colorado.Julie Kerr and Robert T. Sakata, president of the Colorado Onion Growers Association, take part in the chefs cookoff at Colorado Ag Day.

The event itself was organized by the Colorado Ag Council in coordination with the American Culinary Federation Colorado Chefs Association and was highlighted by Gov. John Hickenlooper's comments as well as those from State Commission of Agriculture John Salazar, Ag Council members and state legislators.

In addition, attendees were treated to the results of the Third Annual Colorado Farm to Fork Culinary Competition inside the rotunda, where members of the Colorado Chefs Association, led by Executive Director Joan Brewster and current President David Davis, put the state's most famous produce crops and protein sources to good use.

Jim Ehrlich, executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee in Monte Vista, CO, and Robert T. Sakata, president of the Colorado Onion Association in LaSalle, CO, introduced Commissioner Salazar, who called on Gov. Hickenlooper to make the proclamation.

Among the "whereas" comments in the document, Gov. Hickenlooper paused to emphasize the following: "... agriculture is the second-largest contributor to the state's economy, supporting more than 173,000 jobs in Colorado and generating more than $40 billion of economic activity annually; and ... land in farms and ranches provides habitat for wildlife and open space, and innovative and sustainable farming practices ensure that our state's resources will remain protected for generations to come; and ... farmers and ranchers are critical to Colorado agritourism, welcoming tourists from around the world and sharing with them a taste of the Colorado experience."

David Collie, event chair of the Colorado Agriculture Council, noted that in Colorado, one in seven struggle to put food on the table, with nearly half of those affected under the age of 18.

Accepting the donation of nearly $1 million in funding and in-kind giving, Kevin Seggelke, president and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies, the largest of five Feeding American member banks that make up Feeding Colorado, said, "On behalf of Feeding Colorado we are grateful for the generosity of the Colorado Agriculture Council and their continued support over the years. Feeding Colorado is dedicated to nourishing communities throughout Colorado by distributing food through our direct service programs and partner agencies. Far too many Coloradans struggle to put food on their tables and today's donation will make a big difference for them."

Following the activities at the capitol, members of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee traveled to the Food Bank of the Rockies distribution center and delivered 44,000 pounds of potatoes, payment for the bet made with the Washington State Potato Commission prior this year’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos.