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Steamboat Springs — The Second Annual Agricul­tural Fall Gathering took place Nov. 8, bringing together Routt County’s diverse agricultural community. Members from the Routt County Cattle­Women, Routt County Cattle­men, Routt County Farm Bureau, Northwest Colorado Farmers Union, Routt County Conservation District, Deep Roots and the Upper Yampa Habitat Protection Program participated in a day filled with meetings, social gathering, dinner, music and dancing. For those unable to attend, this article offers a summary related to each organization.

Routt County CattleWomen gave more than $10,000 in scholarship money to college students pursuing a degree related to the beef industry and to students from cattle-producing families. These efforts were accomplished through the sales of beef jerky and “real women eat beef” T-shirts, numerous craft fairs and fundraising events, and private donations. RCCW has a Web site at www.routtcountycattlewomen.com. Membership fees are due Dec. 15. RCCW’s next meeting is 5:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

Routt County Cattlemen were presented with updates from a variety of speakers, including state Rep. Randy Baumgardner and the Routt County Board of Commissioners. Colorado Cattlemen Association President Tim Canterbury discussed a lawsuit involving a water rights dispute between ranchers in the San Isabel National Forest and a Western watershed group. The RCCM gave $500 to the CCA foundation in honor of Franklin L. “Pud” Stetson. RCCM’s next meeting will be in March.

Routt County Conservation District presented the 2009 Conservation Land Steward of the Year award to the Ross and Medora Fralick family for excellent land management practices. RCCD is looking into buying a new seed drill and a trailer for landowners to rent. RCCD is applying for at least one grant to fund landowner reimbursements for weed control. The seedling tree program is up and running, and order forms are now available.

Northwest Colorado Farmers Union reviewed the past year’s accomplishments, locally, statewide and nationally. Lee Swenson, executive director of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, also visited with the group, and 2010 officers were elected. Their next meeting will be Dec. 9 in Hayden.

The Routt County Farm Bureau funded a study on the monetary value that the agricultural community contributes to wildlife in Colorado. The study concluded that activities related to farming and ranching, in any given year, total from $65 million to $200 million. The annual state meeting took place Thursday in Denver. The local chapter’s next meeting is in February.

Upper Yampa Habitat Part­nership Program recognized Carl Herold and family as the recipients of the 2009 Upper Yampa Habitat Partnership Program Landowner of the Year award for their dedication and commitment to agriculture, wildlife, sportsmen and community. The group now is soliciting applications for projects. Interested parties should contact a UYHPP committee representative or Colorado Division of Wildlife district wildlife manager for details. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the CDOW/U.S. Forest Service office in Steamboat.

Deep Roots hosted a public forum, inviting both the public and its members to discuss future programs. The group is forming a committee to work on getting more local food into school lunches. Contact Lisa Sadler at lsgamber@yahoo.com.