Author Timothy Egan is a Dust Bowl scholar visiting as part of this year’s All Pikes Peak Reads events. He’s the author of the National Book Award-winning The Worst Hard Time, a companion selection to John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Egan’s book recounts the stories of those who stayed behind during the Dust Bowl. His account deals with real people in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and eastern Colorado who dealt with failing crops, years-long drought, dying livestock and ubiquitous dust. KRCC’s Aaron Retka spoke with Egan about his book, the Dust Bowl and the lessons we can learn from it. He began by asking Egan about the causes.
The Army opens a public comment period on a report detailing plans for expanding the Pinon Canyon training site, and a report from KUNC on the BLM’s Roan Plateau lease auction. Plus, more plans for the Democratic National Convention.
Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens paid a visit to Southeast Colorado today, to tout what he calls the “Pickens Plan.” KRCC’s Andrea Chalfin reports from Lamar.
Lawmakers in the senate agriculture committee unanimously passed a bill that would make it easier for seasonal workers to come to Colorado. The measure now heads to the senate appropriations committee. It already cleared the House. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Considered one of the most innovative farmers in the nation for his holistic approach to farming and ranching, Joel Salatin runs Polyface Farm in Virginia. He’ll present a lecture titled “Dancing With Dinner: The Dynamic of Healthy Food Chains,” Thursday, January 24th. Noel Black spoke with Salatin about his “beyond organic” ranching techniques. [LISTEN]
Colorado has launched a statewide investigation into conservation easements after complaints that crooked land appraisers are over-valuing agricultural land. Government officials say Colorado could be losing millions of dollars in tax revenues. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
In the Wet Mountain Valley, about an hour west of Pueblo, haying season is winding down and ranchers are hauling in the last bales from the fields. Like other high altitude mountain valleys, the area around Westcliffe is known for producing excellent grass hay that is popular with horse owners along the Front Range. Hay is a crucial crop because it feeds the ranchers own livestock and brings in much needed income when they sell the surplus. But even during a year with good moisture like this one, farmers are in a constant struggle to get the best crop they can. KRCC’s Shanna Lewis has the story.
[LISTEN]
EVENT 1: Meeting on Military Issues Affecting the Pikes Peak Region, 11:00 AM MST, Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, 2 North Cascade Avenue, Chamber Conference Room, Colorado Springs, CO
EVENT 2: Meeting on Water Storage Issues, 12:30 PM MST, at the Worner Campus Center, room 213, Colorado College, Colorado Springs (NW corner of Cache La Poudre and Cascade)
Three new farmers markets got started in Denver this summer, and they’ve beenselling things that are grown on the grounds of three different public schools. These schools are finding out how much there is to teach and learn in a garden, and that growing plants can generate hands-on lessons in science, math and social studies. This year they are teaching students about how the garden can be a business too. KCFR’s Helen Gray visited the farmers Market at a school near Washington Park and has this report.
A couple of veteran Colorado political analysts agree last week represented a major victory for the ranchers opposing expansion at the Army’s Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. We talked to Bob Loevy, a political science professor at Colorado College and Cara DeGette, columnist for the Colorado Springs Independent and ColoradoConfidential.com.
On Thursday the Senate approved a military spending bill that includes an amendment to stop for one year all progress towards expanding the Army’s Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site between Trinidad and La Junta. The amendment mirrors one passed in the U.S. House in June, which blocks all funding for studies related to expansion of the 235,000 acre training area. The Army says it needs 415,000 acres added to the site to meet future training needs.
The amendement itself narrowly passed, on a 47-45 vote.
The bill the Senate passed now goes to a conference committee to reconcile it with a very similar bill passed by the House. The bill that comes out of that committee will then go to President Bush. Sen. Salazar said today (Thurs., 9/6/07) that he expects President Bush to sign the bill into law.
Senator Allard voted against the amendment, but for the larger bill. He has also been appointed to the conference committee to reconcile the bill with the House.
To listen to Senator Salazar’s press conference discussing the vote (13 minutes) [CLICK HERE]
Author Timothy Egan is a Dust Bowl scholar visiting as part of this year’s All Pikes Peak Reads events. He’s the author of the National Book Award-winning The Worst Hard Time, a companion selection to John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Egan’s book recounts the stories of those who stayed behind during the Dust Bowl. His account deals with real people in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and eastern Colorado who dealt with failing crops, years-long drought, dying livestock and ubiquitous dust. KRCC’s Aaron Retka spoke with Egan about his book, the Dust Bowl and the lessons we can learn from it. He began by asking Egan about the causes.
The Army opens a public comment period on a report detailing plans for expanding the Pinon Canyon training site, and a report from 
Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens paid a visit to Southeast Colorado today, to tout what he calls the “Pickens Plan.” KRCC’s Andrea Chalfin reports from Lamar.
Lawmakers in the senate agriculture committee unanimously passed a bill that would make it easier for seasonal workers to come to Colorado. The measure now heads to the senate appropriations committee. It already cleared the House. Bente Birkeland reports from Denver.
Considered one of the most innovative farmers in the nation for his holistic approach to farming and ranching, Joel Salatin runs Polyface Farm in Virginia. He’ll present a lecture titled “Dancing With Dinner: The Dynamic of Healthy Food Chains,” Thursday, January 24th. Noel Black spoke with Salatin about his “beyond organic” ranching techniques. [
