Meet the Colorado Department of Agriculture Ag Commission
In partnership with: Colorado Department of Agriculture
Helping to advocate for and improve Colorado’s agriculture industry, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) Ag Commission is a vital group made up of nine agricultural leaders who generously volunteer their time and expertise. The commission is responsible for making recommendations to the commissioner, governor and general assembly about ag issues, developing policies, enforcing rules and much more.
“The Colorado farmers and ranchers who comprise our state Ag Commission bring a wealth of expertise, dedication and foresight to their work with the Department of Agriculture,” Commissioner Kate Greenberg says. “Their collective guidance is invaluable to me, the department and to the tens of thousands of ag producers across our state. We are so fortunate to have them as part of our team.”
Brant Harrison
Brant Harrison runs one of the largest organic peach orchards in the state, growing his original 5 acres of fruit trees to now more than 70 acres. Harrison also served on the Mesa County Pest District Board, CDA Pesticide Advisory Board, Western Colorado Horticulture Society Board and Mesa County Farm Bureau Board.
See more: Colorado’s Top 5 Agricultural Commodities
Kathryn Bedell
Kathryn Bedell is a self-employed livestock operator who sells local meat to the surrounding community. Since 2004, she has added sheep and pork to her farm, and opened Roan Creek Ranch Grocery in 2014. She recently began advocating for a regional animal slaughter and fabrication facility and a local food distribution network.
Segundo Diaz
Segundo Diaz and his wife own and manage Martinez Farms, a 2,500-acre certified seed potato farm in the San Luis Valley. Diaz is an active member of the potato industry and is involved in the Colorado Certified Potato Growers Association and part of the international delegation for the National Potato Council’s Market Access Program.
Marty Gerace
Raised on a family vegetable farm and greenhouse operation in Adams County, Marty Gerace now lives in Golden. He continues to work in the family business, consisting of two retail garden centers in the Denver metro area and more than 1 million square feet of production greenhouse facilities in three Fort Range locations.
Michael Hirakata
Born and raised in Rocky Ford, Michael Hirakata is a fourth-generation farmer, overseeing operations at Hirakata Farms. He manages the sales of the farm’s cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew and pumpkins. Hirakata is also the current president and spokesman for the Rocky Ford Growers Association.
George Whitten
George Whitten was born into a ranching family and has managed his own ranching operation since 1973. He served on the board of directors for the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and is a founding member and the current Sweet Grass Co-Op president.
See more: How Colorado Farmers Protect the Environment for Future Generations
Colleen Peppler
Raised on a wheat farm, Colleen Peppler and her husband own and operate 500 acres of alfalfa hay, corn, wheat and brewing barley. Peppler is a spokesperson for CommonGround, a group of more than 20 farm women across 20 states, and serves on the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture board of directors.
Steve Young
Steve Young grew up on a small ranch in eastern Colorado and spent his career in the feed and grain business. He now works for AgWest Commodities as a hedge broker/cash adviser and operates a small cow-calf operation.
Brett Rutledge
Born and raised on a family farm in Yuma, Brett Rutledge continues to run the operation, growing corn, wheat and organic crops, as well as raising cattle and pork. He serves as chairman of the Swine Council of the Colorado Livestock Association and is a member of the Colorado Pork Producers Council and Colorado Corn Growers Association.