for farmers looking for rotational crops that
offer a better return than other commodity
crops.¡±
In 2016, the Colorado Department of Agri-
culture launched the first certified hemp seed
program in the country to grow hemp across
Colorado¡¯s diverse growing conditions to dis-
cover which seeds would grow crops that fall
within industrial hemp THC requirements.
CDA Approved Certified Seed provides grow-
ers with the confidence they expect in seed
quality.
The program tests industrial hemp require-
ments set by Amendment 64 in the Colorado
constitution, which closely mirrors the federal
Farm Bill. Colorado state law requires that
industrial hemp tests at or below 0.3% THC
concentration on a dry weight basis.
All varieties tested were accepted by the
Colorado Seed Growers Association¡¯s Variety
Review Board and these varieties passed the
THC validation trials.
Once approved through validation trials across
Colorado¡¯s diverse growing environments, CDA
approves the variety to be produced by the
Colorado Seed Growers Association according
to AOSCA standards and receive the CDA Ap-
proved Certified Seed label.
Seed varieties are grown and tested in the
northeast, Arkansas Valley, Front Range, the
San Luis Valley and on the western slope.
These five locations with distinct differences in
daytime and nighttime temperatures, in alti-
tude, length of growing season and soil types,
provide the CDA with a broad representation of
Colorado¡¯s growing conditions.
As per the DEA it is still federally illegal for
hemp seed to cross state lines. In order for
growers to document the planting of CDA-
Approved seed, they must provide purchase
order receipts and/or bag tags for CDA verifi-
cation. The CDA Approved Certified seed pro-
gram requires that all individual seed packages
be tagged with both CDA tags and AOSCA or
OECD official tags.
For more information visit CDA¡¯s industrial
hemp program webpage: www.colorado.
gov/pacific/agplants/industrial-hemp
(source: www.colorado.gov)
The Good News
2018 February/March
Pg 4 - The Sunshine Express
access to the ¡®Toilet Bowl from the shore; how-
ever, paddle boarding, free diving, swimming,
and wading will remain prohibited.
Officials stress the water, located at the base of
the Ruedi Dam on the Fryingpan River, is tur-
bulent and subject to sudden changes in depth
and flows. In addition, they caution the area has
underwater hazards people are unable to see.
The five government agencies met last week to
address social media rumors claiming the Toilet
Bowl would no longer be accessible to anglers.
¡°Much of the confusion stems from varied in-
terpretations of the existing signs which were
placed to prevent unsafe activities and protect
dam infrastructure¡± said District Wildlife Man-
ager Matt Yamashita of Basalt. ¡°It was made
clear during the meeting that the intent is to
prohibit in-water recreation in the deep portion
of the Toilet Bowl section, for safety and secu-
rity reasons. Anglers standing on the shore are
not the concern.¡±
Yamashita says the city of Aspen and Bureau
of Reclamation will update signs in the area to
clarify restrictions.
¡°Ultimately, for anglers, not much has changed,¡±
he said. ¡°They can continue to fish there, as
they always have. Going forward, we ask ev-
eryone to follow the rules and regulations as
signed, and be sure to respect all current and
future signage.¡±
Officials recently repaired the fence around the
hydroelectric plant, replacing a section dam-
aged by a vehicle. Workers also placed posts
for a gate they will install this spring. The gate
will help keep vehicles away from hydroelectric
plant structures.
¡°The fence and the gate only restrict vehicle ac-
cess, not foot traffic,¡± added Yamashita.
The famed fishing hole is popular with anglers,
many who travel from around the world to catch
the large trout that thrive in the pool.
For more information about fishing and ac-
cess at the Toilet Bowl contact the Glenwood
Springs Colorado Parks and Wildlife office at
970.947.2920
North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New
Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ore-
gon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia,
Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin
and Wyoming.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump estab-
lished the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture
and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regu-
latory and policy changes that could promote
agriculture and prosperity in rural communities.
In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the
Task Force¡¯s findings to President Trump, which
included 31 recommendations to align the federal
government with state, local and tribal govern-
ments to take advantage of opportunities that
exist in rural America.
To view the report in its entirety:
www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
documents/rural-prosperity-report.pdf
To view the categories of the recommendations:
www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
documents/rural-task-force-infographic.pdf
USDA Rural Development provides loans and
grants to help expand economic opportunities
and create jobs in rural areas.
This assistance supports infrastructure improve-
ments, business development, housing, commu-
nity services such as schools, public safety and
health care and high-speed internet access in
rural areas.
For more information visit: rd.usda.gov
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer
and lender.
(source: www.usda.gov)
Prosperity Report (continued from pg 3)
Famed Fishing Access Open
Agencies clarify status of famed
¡®Toilet Bowl¡¯ trout fishing area, anglers
will continue having access
BASALT, CO: Colorado Parks and Wildlife, city
of Aspen, Bureau of Reclamation, Eagle County
Sheriff¡¯s office and the U.S. Forest Service are
confirming anglers will continue having fishing
The Community Bible Fellowship in Nucla will be
presenting the much anticipated youth Easter
Play on April 1.
Entitled ¡®CSI Jerusalem: The Empty Tomb¡¯,
the play will be at 6p during the Evening
Service.
Youth actors will be dressed in Bible costumes.
Mark your calendars!
We are looking forward to seeing you there.
Coming Soon
Colorado Leads Again
Colorado is Home to First U.S. Bred
Certified Hemp Seed
BROOMFIELD, CO: In the race to develop a suc-
cessful, viable hemp industry, Colorado is now
home to the first U.S. bred hemp seed to qualify
as Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies
(AOSCA) certified seed.
¡°This is an exciting time for the industrial hemp
industry. It seems breeding, technology and
information advances are happening at the speed
of light; this is a giant step for American hemp
farmers,¡± said Duane Sinning, CDA¡¯s Division of
Plant Industry Assistant Director.
New West Genetics, Ft. Collins, Colorado,
submitted a variety trademarked as NWG-ELITE.
The variety is the first U.S.-bred hemp seed to
pass the Colorado Department of Agriculture¡¯s
hemp trials and qualify as AOSCA certified
seed.
According to their website, ¡°NWG uses genomic
technology and data-driven discovery to cre-
ate large-scale, harvestable cannabis, greatly
enhancing the sustainability of the industry and
paving the way for large-scale product develop-
ment.
The large scale production of cannabis that we
enable serves our mission of improving patient
access and affordability and increasing options
sunshineexpressmedia.com