Museum Trail of Southern Colorado
  • Home
  • Museums
    • Conejos County Museum
    • Creede Historical Society Museum
    • Creede Underground Mining Museum
    • Crestone Historical Museum
    • Francisco Fort Museum
    • Friends of 169
    • Fort Garland Museum
    • Hazard House Museum
    • Hinsdale County Museum
    • Homelake Veterans' History Museum
    • Huerfano Heritage Center
    • Jack Dempsey Museum
    • Luther Bean Museum
    • Monte Vista Historical Society Museum >
      • Monte Vista Oral Histories
      • Monte Vista Historical Walking and Driving Tour
    • Museum of Friends
    • Old Spanish Trail - La Vereda de Norte Chapter
    • Rio Grande County Museum
    • Ryan Geology Museum
    • Saguache County Museum
    • Sangre de Cristo Heritage Center >
      • Dia de Los Muertos
      • Morada
      • Sacred Circle Tour
      • Mariachi San Luis
      • Francisco de Coronado
      • San Luis Flour Mill Grinding Stone
    • San Luis Valley Museum
    • Sanford Museum
    • Transportation of the West Museum
    • Orient Land Trust and Museum
  • Heritage
    • ColoradoStargazing
    • Six Journeys
    • Introducing the Valley
    • Natural Wonders
    • In the Steps of Pioneers
    • Ring of Gold
    • Life in a High Desert Valley
    • The Creative Spirit
    • Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway
    • Ute Tribe
  • Research
    • Genealogy
    • Cemetery
  • Calendar
  • Things To Do
    • Itineraries >
      • Murals of Conejos County
      • 3 Scenic Byways: Short Walks-Long Views
      • 3 Scenic Byways: Best in Class
      • 3 Scenic Byways: Leaf Peeping in Southern Colorado
    • Photography/Photographers
    • Videos
  • News
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Colorado Farm Bureau wraps up 2017, readies for centennial celebration

12/29/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
from the Alamosa Valley Courier

STATEWIDE
 — The Colorado Farm Bureau closed another successful year of protecting the future of agriculture and rural values. Throughout the year, the organization focused on effectively sharing the agricultural story across every platform, outlet and through every event and program. In a year full of change and preparations, the organization has made great strides advocating for its members and furthering their priorities both at the Capitol and beyond.

The State Board wrapped up two years of long-term strategic plan development, helping the organization become more effective when sharing its message. With an added focus on advocacy, CFB connected intentionally with voters, industry partners, legislators and administrations, extending its network and making connections outside the Capitol to grow its influence within.
At the state Capitol, the CFB policy team tracked over 70 bills that went through the legislature. Eighteen bills supported by CFB were signed into law this year, showing the policy team’s effectiveness and influence when it comes to advocating for policies that are good for Colorado agriculture. The CFB policy team also helped protect farmers and ranchers from bills that would negatively impact their ability to feed consumers. It was a successful year at the state Capitol and the policy team is already preparing for the upcoming 2018 legislative session.
At the federal level, the new administration presented new opportunities for CFB and its members--Including, the repeal of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule which brought relief to many agriculturalists both inside Colorado and out. The new administration also presented questions about trade and modernization of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). CFB, along with leaders from around the state, met at the CFB offices to discuss the importance of trade to Colorado and to debate policy solutions that would keep NAFTA and maintain trade policies that are beneficial to CFB members, agriculture and the broader economy.
All of CFB’s work in both state and federal policy is supported by efforts in the community. The Pedal the Plains bicycle tour in eastern Colorado is a highlight of every year, but 2017 presented an opportunity to expand the #FarmPower team and reach a broader audience. Team #FarmPower grew from a loose team of 12 to a formalized team of 32 riders of all skill levels, with both a physical presence in the community as well as an online presence that spread throughout the eastern plains, Denver metro-area and even across state lines.  Collaboration with Coloradans for Responsible Energy Development and Keep Electricity Affordable gave team #FarmPower access to more resources and a stronger voice to promote rural Colorado and the importance of energy in agriculture.
An important part of the CFB mission is supporting members in times of need. Unfortunately, this year the eastern plains were ravaged by a major fire and terrible blizzard that caused millions of dollars of damage to livestock and crops. With the help of partners, members and caring community members, the CFB Foundation Disaster Relief Committee distributed more than $350,000 to farmers and ranchers whose livelihoods were devastated by these terrible disasters. 
The 2017 CFB Annual Meeting was the last event to be held in the 2017 year. Going down as one of the best Annual Meetings ever, the “Growing Agriculture” theme was shared with members from around the state. With engaging speakers, new networking opportunities as well as great policy discussions, the annual meeting was one every member should remember.  
As 2017 comes to an end, CFB looks forward to the next year. In 2018 CFB will celebrate its centennial--a time to remember the organization’s history and look forward to its future. Multiple events and celebrations will celebrate not just CFB, but the importance of agriculture throughout Colorado, and how the industry will play a role in the next 100 years of Colorado agriculture history. 

0 Comments

The Early Cultural History of the San Luis Valley

12/27/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Baca National Wildlife Refuge photo by US Fish and Wildlife
by Meg Van Ness
published: 20 March 2012 (revisions November 2013)

[excerpt, pg 7]  The Baca Land Grant is the result of a land dispute. The Baca grants, of which there are five, were granted to the heirs of Luis Maria Baca in replacement for his 1825 grant near Las Vegas, New Mexico, which was also claimed by Juan de Dios Maiese in 1835. These conflicting claims came to light when the U.S. took control of the lands in the mid 1840s. The Baca claim was settled in 1860, and patented in 1903, when the Baca heirs were given five parcels of land: two in New Mexico, two in Arizona, and one in the San Luis Valley – Baca #4. In various configurations and sizes the Baca #4 lands changed hands many times over the next hundred years with a large portion established as the Baca National Wildlife Refuge in 2000.

Click here to read the complete paper  of - The Early Cultural History of the San Luis Valley
by Meg Van Ness

Meg is the Regional Archaeologist/Regional Historic Preservation Officer for Region 6 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cultural Resources
0 Comments

Christmas at the Rio Grande County Museum

12/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Christmas at the Museum this year is focused on the Gift Shoppe and Snow People as fundraising for the Rio Grande County Museum, Inc. 501 (c) 3 Corporation, that helps to fund many of the activities, events and supplies and equipment used in the Museum.  This year, the board has purchased the computer and scanners for the photo digitization project for the large collection of photos in order to preserve and protect them and to be able have them online for viewing.  Fundraising has started to purchase plastic sleeves for the very large newspaper collection.  This will make the newspapers more accessible for use by researchers.

The proceeds from the sales of the Snow People by Rosie B. will also fund several of these projects.  Each Snow Person is individually crafted and named and the purchase price is $8.95. Come find your perfect “Snow Mate.”

Picture
Books, jewelry by Patti Haught, wooden vases by Alex Colville, pot holders by Jean Hanna as a few of the items for sale.  The perfect Christmas gift may be at the Museum for that hard to find person.  A membership to the Museum may also be considered for a gift for that hard to buy for person.

The Rio Grande County Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am - 4pm and on Saturday from 10am - 3pm.  For more information, please contact the Museum at 719-657-2847 or on Facebook.

0 Comments

Colorado's 2017 Most Significant Artifacts

12/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Monte Vista Historical Society's artifact - Letterhead with proposed illustration of Dam at Wagon Wheel Gap was selected as one of 10 artifacts for this year's - Colorado's 2017 Most Significant Artifacts.

---------
Letterhead Stationary with Illustration of a Dam at Wagon Wheel Gap   
Artifact Is: 3 Dimensional
Located at: Monte Vista Historical Society
Artifact Significant To: Colorado, NationArtifact Description:

The artifact is a sheet of letterhead stationery illustration a dam at Wagon Wheel Gap, near Creede, in the San Luis Valley.  The sponsoring agency is the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, headquartered in Alamosa, Colorado.  
Why Is This Artifact Significant?

Water development in the Valley has always been an important issue.  Being a high mountain desert, the Valley receives only seven inches of rain in an average year.  Irrigation is crucial to farming and ranching, and these industries have been the mainstay of life here.  Water storage and development continue to be crucial issues, and the Wagon wheel Gap Dam was an effort to increase storage and hence irrigation water.
How Does The Artifact Relate To Colorado History?

Picture
The fact that the dam was never built relates to Colorado history in that many projects were either delayed or never begun, due to the demands on resources posed by  World War II.  The management of water, its storage and basin transfer, continue to be important to the state and will continue to do so.  The letterhead stationery is one such piece of the water picture.

To see all ten artifacts go to: Colorado Connecting to Collections & Collection Care @ Auraria.edu
https://collectioncare.auraria.edu/content/letterhead-illustration-dam-wagon-wheel-gap

0 Comments

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    September 2013
    April 2012
    September 2011
    August 2007

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

    Enter your email address.
Submit
Jack Dempsey Museum
Home  |  Museums  |  Research  |  Calendar  |  Support
Exhibits  |  Videos  |  News  |  About Us  |  Contact Us

Copyright 2020, Museums of the San Luis Valley and Southern Colorado, All Rights Reserved