The first annual meeting held by the Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is now a matter of history. But it underscores the important role the organization is playing to unify agricultural producers and bring nonagricultural entities into the mix.

Adrian Card, who works as an agent with Colorado State University Extension in Boulder County, serves as a partner on the association’s board of directors. He said 260 people attended the annual meeting, held in Denver on Feb. 25. The annual meeting preceded the Governor’s Forum on Colorado Agriculture.

Board members of the Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, seen here with members of Western Growers, have been busy in 2015. (Photo courtesy of the Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association)Card was asked about key topics discussed during the meeting. “[They included] nutrition from fruit and vegetable eating and importance of uncommon collaborations to achieve community health and wellness, on farm pesticide safety, CFVGA strategic plan, CSU work with food systems, proposed FSMA irrigation water rule and getting the most out of social media marketing,” he replied.

Feedback about the inaugural event and other association activities is indicative of CFVGA’s early success. “Growers from diverse regions of Colorado and various types of fruit and vegetable operations are very excited to see CFVGA take shape,” Card stated. “Our surveys to members and non-members show a strong degree of immediacy to have engagement on food safety, labor and water issues. Input providers are thrilled that they can now intersect a wide audience of Colorado produce growers through one association. Public sector ag agencies see the value of one organization that can deliver information and resources while providing input on what information and resources are needed by growers.”

The organization participated in Colorado Ag Day, held on March 18. “CFVGA, a Colorado Ag Council member, provided a board member to assist with Colorado Ag Day setup and lunch service. The winning dessert was made from Pueblo chile peppers,” Card stated. “CFVGA brought its banner to place with all the other Ag Council members in a show of solidarity for Colorado Agriculture.”

At the current time, the organization’s food-safety and labor committees “are exploring educational outreach and services CFVGA can provide for the benefit of members and non-members,” Card said.

The association has added a general interest membership category. “We are excited to have folks who are not growers or otherwise have a financial interest in Colorado produce as members celebrating Colorado fruit and vegetables and joining in our efforts and successes,” Card went on to say. “We have 316 people on a general interest email list and 225 following us on Facebook. All of this since launching February 2014.”

Persons or organizations interested in joining the general interest email list can do so by visiting www.coloradoproduce.org.

CFVGA is in the formative stages of hiring a half-time administrator.