Agriculture & Natural Resources News:

About Garfield County

Overview

Garfield County is located in western Colorado and consists of Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Battlement Mesa and Parachute. Garfield County has been experiencing steady population and economic growth. The 2020 population estimate is 61,084 and the median household income is $72,898 with $68,811 being the state average. The oil and gas industry has been prominent in Garfield County. Other major economic contributors are tourism and agriculture.

Agriculture

The agriculture industry has seen an increased interest in small acreage and local food production. The agriculture industry has increased from 449 farms in 2002 to 661 in 2017. Farmlands cover 475,166 acres across Garfield County. The average farm size is 719 acres, with 25% of products sold being crops and 75% being livestock (cattle and sheep primarily).

Beef, lamb, wool, pork, hay, oats, sod, bio-fuels, and more shape our community and economy. From the largest of our historical properties to the smallest community garden plot, Garfield County is an agricultural region.

More information from the 2017 Census of Agriculture.

Demographics

The communities in Garfield County have diverse economies, shopping opportunities and housing choices. The population is approximately 30% Hispanic. Garfield County is primarily rural, with 60% public land. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, and include hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing, rafting, biking, skiing, and other activities typically associated with Colorado.

Extension

Colorado has a long and proud tradition of agriculture. Colorado State University’s College of Agricultural Science offers some of the premier research and ongoing opportunities for study and advancement in all aspects of agriculture.

Garfield County Extension has programming to help support and strengthen the agriculture industry in Garfield County. Soil health, irrigation, weed control and small acreage management are areas of focus.

Office Services

Consultations

The Extension office staff is proud to serve our local producers, ranchers, farmers, and residents of Garfield County. Give us a call, send us an email, or swing by our office to schedule a site visit or see how we can best assist you.

We can work to answer any question and connect with a variety of resources to assist with livestock production, pasture and rangeland management, vegetable crop production, agriculture business management and more!

Soil Testing

We are here to help with soil sample collection, soil testing, and soil test interpretation. We offer soil sampling kits and instructions, as well as a soil probe available for check out.

In-house, we preform basic soil screening tests to identify a few key soil qualities. We are able to test soil texture, Ph, salinity, and for the presence of free-lime. You can either drop off samples at our office or give us a call to schedule a site-visit for sample collection and analysis.

For more in-depth soil analysis, including identifying the presence and levels of particular soil nutrients, we can assist with sample collection, identifying the type of testing needed, and the laboratory that fits your needs. We offer interpretation of soil test results from any lab to inform future management choices.

Fees vary with laboratory, type of test, and shipping; we do not charge additional fees to assist with sample collection or interpretation.

Give us a call, email, or stop by for more information.

Water Testing

We can assist with water and well testing to assess for for drinking water, irrigation water, and livestock water suitability.

Water sampling kits and instructions are available for pick up. We can assist in collecting and sending samples to the lab. Fees vary with laboratory, type of test, and shipping needs; we do not charge additional fees to assist with sample collection.

Suggested lab for chemical water analysis: ServiTech Labs

Suggested lab for bacterial water analysis: Mesa County Public Health Regional Lab

Call the office for more details on water test options and to schedule a water sample collection visit.

Feed & Crop Testing

We can assist in collecting hay and forage samples to identify feed quality and suitability for different species. We have a hay probe available for check out and have sample kits and instructions available for pick up, and are happy to come out and collect samples for you.

We can assist in crop plant tissue testing to help identify soil fertility needs, helping with sample collection, identifying the type of testing needed, and the laboratory that fits your needs. We offer interpretation of test results to help inform future management.

CSU soon hopes to be able to offer diagnostic testing to help identify some plant diseases on the Western Slope. Our office can assist in diagnostics for disease in vegetable crops showing symptoms, and can help determine when further laboratory testing is needed for diagnostic confidence to help inform future management.

Give us a call, email, or stop by for more information.

Pesticide Applicator Exam Center

Our office is a proctor location for Colorado Pesticide Applicator examinations.

Tests are required for Qualified Supervisor, Certified Operator and Private Pesticide Applicator licensure. Visit the Colorado Environmental Pesticide Education Program for more information and study resources. We have hard copies of the Colorado Private Pesticide Applicator study manual available at our office.

Complete a exam application and schedule exam(s) through Metro Institute. During registration you will be able to pick the time and location for your exam. There is an examination fee of $41.50 per test. After passing your exam(s), there is a $75 license fee due to the CDA.

Respirator Fit Testing

The EPA requires that all individuals working with pesticides labeled for respiratory protection complete a medical evaluation, respirator fit test, and training prior to use of the respirator. We offer qualitative respirator fit testing in compliance with Appendix A of the OSHA Standard 1910.134. The fit test determines if the respirator forms a complete seal with the person’s face.

The cost is $5/test, please call, email, or stop by to schedule a fit testing.