F7039126C1E8B8CB872588C500535E62 Hearing Summary

Representative McCormick called the meeting to order and noted that there were problems with the audio broadcast. A recording of the meeting, as well as presentation slides and materials, are available online here: https://leg.colorado.gov/committees/water-resources-and-agriculture-review-committee/2022-regular-session

Cindy Lair, Colorado State Conservation Board, introduced herself to the committee and provided a handout (Attachment A). She discussed the Saving Tomorrow's Agriculture Resources (STAR) program. She noted that House Bill 21-1181 created a voluntary soil health program. She discussed the ways the program works with agricultural producers and the conservation districts participating in the program.

Ms. Lair discussed how the Department of Agriculture will expand the STAR program across Colorado. She explained that the program needs market development, including integration with the Colorado Proud program and using the STAR rating as a market signal.

Mike Morris, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), introduced himself and the work of NCAT. He defined soil health and its role in health ecosystems, and he discussed the ways different types of soil hold water. He continued to discuss projects that allow soil to catch and hold more water, specifically by increasing organic matter in the soil. He provided examples of farmers who have had success increasing organic matter in their soil, and he described NCAT's peer to peer approach to soil health.

Mr. Morris presented additional resources available on NCAT's website, https://soilforwater.org/. He discussed the on-farm trials and workshops NCAT supports in the southwestern U.S.

Ms. Lair responded to a question from the committee about the next steps for the STAR program, discussing how the department will work with other western states thanks to a recent grant. Committee members discussed the program with Ms. Lair.