October 29, 2021
Harvest Festival
Don’t forget to come out to see us at the Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce’s Harvest Festival on October this Saturday. It will be on Main Street beginning at 11:30 a.m. Put on your costume and join us in handing out candy to the kids.
Choosing the Right Canning Lids
As you are getting creative about canning you might be interested to know that there are different types of canning lids for different purposes. Choosing the wrong type of lid could result in losing the results of your hard work. Check out this article about the different types of plastisol lid lining and how they are used: https://www.containerandpackaging.com/resources/3-types-of-plastisol.
Holiday Outlet Locations in Elizabeth
If you have products to sell this holiday and are looking for opportunities to sell in addition to the Christmas craft shows and festivals consider applying at Running Creek Station or the Carriage House. Running Creek Station charges $3.50/square foot and a 13% service charge on sales; they have an application at their checkout counter. The Carriage Shoppes is currently taking a waitlist, but their owner, Janet McCracken, is happy to talk to local producers and artists at 303-246-7267. When space is available the Carriage Shoppes also charges $3.50/square foot and a 10% service charge. They may also have consignment opportunities. The Nest at 1897 House does not currently have space available, but has a waiting list you can join.
Santa’s Little Bakers
Do you dream about holiday baking? Do you love the idea of a community Christmas event? We are looking for bakers to provide cookies for our decorating kits as well as ready to eat cookies for the Elizabeth Christmas tree lighting on December 4th. Donations at the event will benefit ECAA and the food banks. Email Sheila.zuschek@elbertcountyagalliance.org if you are interested.
Pasture Improvement Resource
If you are interested in assessing your dryland pasture and resources for improved grazing, check out the CSU Extensions guide to dryland pastures at: https://sam.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/07/GrazingGuide.pdf.
Ranch to Plate Act
During the 2021 Legislative Session, SB21-079, the “Ranch to Plate Act” passed and was signed into law. This act promotes increased access for consumers to directly purchase meat and meat products from local ranchers through the use of live animal-share agreements. Primarily, this act clarifies that the sale of animals, animal shares, or meat is exempt from state licensure and inspection by a public health agency, provided proper requirements are met. You can learn more about the act at: https://ag.colorado.gov/guidance-to-ranchers-and-custom-exempt-processors-regarding-the-ranch-to-plate-act-sb21-079.
Brainstorming for ECAA
At the member meeting last week we began a sharing and brainstorming exercise to learn more about ways to serve members and build our community. You can participate too by going online to https://docs.google.com/document/d/18GS6AX93VmqN-JKh90ncO3hr8kiLVmyAldct_stwQA8/edit?usp=sharing and adding your comments to the different questions. You can also see other members answers.
Chili Challenge
Start honing your recipe for the ECAA Chilli Cookoff coming in January. The date and details to be announced.
Board Meeting
Interested members may join the next board of directors meeting via Zoom on November 11th at 2:00 p.m. by going to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81046337317?pwd=bEFnMmhtMWt3SUFhQkQ4WkFJOE9IUT09.
Agritourism
The agritourism group is developing a list of local agritourism businesses as well as businesses that support or benefit from agritourism. This list will be used to develop a directory. If you would like to be on the list go to: https://forms.gle/3UJfs5tjFQBLxszM8 to add your business. Feel free to forward the link. If you are interested in joining the agritourism group the next meeting will be November 13th at 2:00 p.m. via Zoom. Send an email to Sheila.zuschek@elbertcountyagalliance.org if you would like to be added to the distribution list.
Have announcements or classifieds that should be included in the next Roundup? Send them to news@elbertcountyagalliance.org