2012
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 12-011
       
       
       BY SENATOR(S) Schwartz, Aguilar, Bacon, Boyd, Brophy, Cadman,
       Carroll, Foster, Giron, Grantham, Guzman, Harvey, Heath, Hodge,
       Hudak, Jahn, Johnston, King K., King S., Lambert, Lundberg, Mitchell,
       Morse, Neville, Newell, Nicholson, Renfroe, Roberts, Scheffel, Spence,
       Steadman, Tochtrop, White, Williams S., Shaffer B.;
       also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Sonnenberg, Acree, Balmer, Barker,
       Baumgardner, Becker, Beezley, Bradford, Brown, Casso, Conti, Coram,
       Court, DelGrosso, Duran, Ferrandino, Fields, Fischer, Gardner B.,
       Gerou, Hamner, Holbert, Hullinghorst, Jones, Joshi, Kagan, Kefalas,
       Kerr A., Kerr J., Labuda, Lee, Levy, Liston, Looper, Massey, McCann,
       McKinley, Miklosi, Murray, Nikkel, Pabon, Pace, Peniston, Priola,
       Ramirez, Ryden, Schafer S., Scott, Singer, Solano, Soper, Stephens,
       Summers, Swalm, Swerdfeger, Szabo, Todd, Tyler, Vaad, Vigil, Waller,
       Williams A., Wilson, Young, McNulty.
       
       
          CONCERNING THE RECOGNITION OF COLORADO
       CENTENNIAL FARMS. 
       
       
          WHEREAS, In 1986, the Colorado Centennial Farms program was
       created by Governor Richard D. Lamm, History Colorado (formerly
       known as the Colorado Historical Society), and the Colorado Department
       of Agriculture to recognize the important role agriculture has played in
       our state's history and economic development; and
       
          WHEREAS, The Colorado Centennial Farms program recognizes
       Colorado farms and ranches that have been owned and operated by the
       same family for 100 years or more for their strength, endurance, and
       perseverance despite the associated challenges; and
       
          WHEREAS, In the last 25 years, 414 family farms and ranches in 61
       of the 64 Colorado counties have been designated through the program;
       and
       
          WHEREAS, The histories of the Colorado Centennial Farms and
       those individuals who have worked in the agricultural industry are an
       intrinsic part of the cultural tapestry of this state; and
       
          WHEREAS, Many of the farms and ranches located across Colorado
       were first homesteaded by filing a claim pursuant to the federal
       "Homestead Act of 1862", planting crops, and constructing a dwelling,
       which resulted in the transfer of the deed to the new owner, while other
       properties were purchased outright; and
       
          WHEREAS, Regardless of the method of acquisition, the transaction
       did not guarantee success for the farmers and ranchers; their success had
       to be secured through dedication and hard work; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado farmers and ranchers understand that hardships
       are part of the agricultural lifestyle, but they hope future generations will
       embrace the hardships with the rewards; and
       
          WHEREAS, Many of these farmers and ranchers struggle to survive
       in present times due to an unstable economy; and
       
          WHEREAS, Farmers and ranchers faced with the uncertainty of the
       current economy must overcome adversity by adopting a more urban
       lifestyle, often requiring them to work multiple jobs; and
       
          WHEREAS, Urbanization and commercialization threaten the
       existence of Colorado Centennial Farms; and
       
          WHEREAS, While centennial farmers and ranchers continually work
       to keep their operations up-to-date, they must also attempt to preserve
       their 100-year-old traditions; and
       
          WHEREAS, Many Colorado Centennial Farms are working toward 
       conservation efforts by utilizing environmentally conscious farming and
       ranching methods to ensure the vitality of cultivated land in Colorado;
       and
       
          WHEREAS, Today, 98% of all farms in the United States are
       family-owned, and every year each American farmer produces enough
       food for nearly 155 people in the United States and abroad; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado's agricultural industry is helping lead Colorado
       out of the current economic downturn by increasing agricultural exports
       by more than 20% in 2011; and
       
          WHEREAS, Colorado Centennial Farms help feed the nation, support
       the state economy, participate in conservation programs that prevent soil
       erosion, improve air and water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and play
       a major role in providing feedstock for the production of renewable fuels;
       and
       
          WHEREAS, The Colorado Centennial Farms program recognizes how
       vital these properties are to the overall economic and environmental
       well-being of our state; and
       
          WHEREAS, Family farms in Colorado that turn 100 years old deserve
       recognition; now, therefore,
       
          Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-eighth General Assembly of
       the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
       
          That we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly:
       
          (1)  Recognize centennial farms and ranches as a vital component of
       the history of Colorado;
       
          (2)  Recognize those Coloradans who have contributed to the
       economic vibrancy of this state through their involvement in agricultural
       enterprises; and
       
          (3)  Acknowledge that it is through those individuals that future
       generations of Colorado farmers and ranchers can find inspiration to
       make our state's agricultural industry continue to prosper.
       
                    Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to
       all owners of farms and ranches recognized under the Colorado
       Centennial Farms program, the Colorado Congressional Delegation,
       History Colorado, and the Colorado Preserve America Youth Summit.
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Brandon C. Shaffer                     Frank McNulty
       PRESIDENT OF                    SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES
       
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Cindi Markwell                        Marilyn Eddins
       SECRETARY OF                CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES