Colorado Farmers and Influential Voices on Food Come to the Table

In Biotechnology, Events, Food, State Groups by Cathryn

Now more than ever, Americans rely on one another to learn about hot-button issues and connect with others who share similar social views. For moms, food production is an issue that is constantly top of mind. Jan Kochis, Sondra Pierce, Kristen Schneider, Collen Peppler, Mary Kraft and Sallie Miller set out to build understanding and initiate a conversation with the dietitians, teachers and bloggers who moms turn to for answers at the annual CommonGround Colorado dinner conversation last week.

The six women are volunteers with the CommonGround Colorado program, a national grassroots movement launched by the National Corn Growers Association, the United Soybean Board and their state affiliates to bridge the gap between the women who grow food and the women who buy it. This luncheon brought together influencers from the Denver area for discussions about today’s farming.

Throughout the evening, the volunteers told stories from their farms and used their agriculture expertise and experience as mothers to connect with guests on issues relating to our food supply. Spirited discussions on a variety of topics took place over two hours regarding the use of precision technology, such as drones, in farming; water rights; sustainability; the true differences in organic and conventional production; the meaning of grass-fed and natural labels; and a wide variety of other issues important to farmers and ranchers.

While many attendees had attended previously and returned to continue the conversation, several new faces joined the group and brought new, exciting perspectives to discussions. Returning and first-time attendees alike expressed enthusiastic interest in keeping the dialogue going by participating in tours of volunteers’ farms and ranches.

By providing credible facts about farming and food and fostering conversations between women and other supporters of today’s agriculture, the CommonGround movement increases the visibility of U.S. farmers and ranchers and the important role they play in America’s food supply.

In Colorado, Kochis, Pierce, Schneider, Peppler, Kraft and Miller will continue to engage with Coloradans at local events and through online conversations on social media sites. Want to join the CommonGround Colorado Conversation? Stay connected with the movement online: