Workshop for Food Entrepreneurs

Want to Grow? Then Get to Know!

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business that involves growing food, then here’s some news you can use. Or maybe you are already in the food-growing business but can’t seem to get the right answers about what the rules and regulations are for growing and selling food, please know that help is available. And for all you would-be Leadville farmers, pull your head out of the seed-bag and take advantage of this upcoming opportunity to get all of your information in one session – from the experts! Next week’s Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) workshop is perfect for anyone looking to make their agriculture dreams come true in Leadville Today.

“I hope this workshop inspires entrepreneurs and help their businesses thrive,” said Danielle Trotta, CDA’s Business Development Specialist. “Workshop speakers are actively engaged in the food system, and they are excited to share their expertise with others.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, “Colorado Food and Agriculture Entrepreneurs” will be presented from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the CoBank Center for Agricultural Education in Fort Collins (#carpool). With a variety of food companies calling Colorado home, the state continues to be an incubator for food entrepreneurs and the CDA is providing the workshop to help food and agricultural businesses get started and grow.

The Tennessee Pass Cafe in downtown Leadville now has a mature Farm-to-Table program in place, using Leadville-grown vegetables from its private, professionally grown garden which locals will start to see spring up sometime in June . . . or July . . . or August! Experience is key to growing (successfully) at 10,152 feet in Leadville Today. Thanks to Bobbi and crew for the fresh veggies to chew!

This one-day workshop is designed for start-up businesses and producers considering a path into the food and agriculture industry. The workshop is organized to be fast-paced and packed with vital information needed to begin a food or agricultural business. The agenda includes topics such as resources for start-up businesses, business organization and finances, building a brand, working with retailers, labeling and beginning production factors.

Guest speakers include:

• Mike Hardin, Director of Business and Licensing with the Secretary of State’s Office.
• Peter Mohr, Director of Operations for Naturally Boulder.
• Dawn Thilmany and Becca Jablonski from the Department of Agriculture Resource and Economics at Colorado State University.
• Brianne Rael with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
• Many more experts from state and county entities critical to establishing a food business.

Registration is $55 per person per workshop. Registration includes the program, workshop materials, a light breakfast and lunch. Online pre-registration is required for each event, and processing fees for electronic checks and credit card orders apply. Seating is limited and space is expected to fill fast.

For complete agendas, more information and to register, visit www.coloradoproud.org or contact Danielle Trotta at (303) 869-9176. The workshops are sponsored by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Valley Packing and Catering and Colorado State University Agriculture Resource and Economics Department.

Some FREE Help Finding Your Dream Job

If you are looking for a new job or different job, then you’re in luck, because FREE help is available to increase your chances of landing that dream job. And remember, not every small mountain community has a Workforce Center in the heart of its business district, so why not take advantage of the help that will put you on the path to success! Get a job!

Starting this Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 2 p.m.  the Leadville Colorado Workforce Center is offering its next workshop series to help job seekers, starting with “Resumes That Pack a Punch.” This will help put your application at the top of the HIRE list. Take advantage of this opportunity to get your resume up-to-date and looking good. And it’s FREE!

The “Tuesdays at 2 p.m.” series continues on February 12 with “Interview Strategies,” helping job seekers in the labor market put their best foot forward during the interview process. Then it’s “Job Search Strategies ” on February 19. The month-long FREE workshops wrap up on February 26 with “Essential Skills,” where attendees can find out what they will need for today’s job market.

All workshops start at 2 p.m. You can also participate from your smart device, PC or in person at one of the Workforce Centers. The Lake County Public Library also offers a WORKFORCE LAPTOP for persons looking for employment or filing for unemployment. This system is dedicated to helping job seekers. Not every small rural community has this FREE service right in town, so take advantage of it.

For workshop attendees, you need to register and can do so ONLINE or contact Sue Miller at the Leadville Workforce Center at Sue.Miller@state.co.us or by calling (719) 486-2428. Increase your skill set, put your best foot forward, and get that great job that’s waiting just for you!

If you’re considering a new job, let Leadville’s Colorado Workforce Center help bring your job seeking skills to the next level.

Last Jobs Report of 2018 Ticks Up

Employers in Colorado added 9,800 nonfarm payroll jobs from November to December for a total of 2,762,200 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs increased 9,100 and government increased 700. November estimates were revised up to 2,752,400, and the over the month change from October to November was an increase of 4,400 rather than the originally estimated increase of 1,800.

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate increased two-tenths of a percentage point from November to December to 3.5 percent. The number of people actively participating in the labor force increased 9,600 over the month to 3,118,200 and the number of people reporting themselves as employed increased 4,100 to 3,010,300. The larger increase in the labor force than in total employment caused the number of unemployed to increase 5,500 and the unemployment rate to increase to 3.5 percent. The national unemployment rate increased two-tenths of a percentage point in December to 3.9 percent.

Over the year, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased from 33.3 to 33.6 hours and average hourly earnings increased from $28.13 to $29.63. The largest over the month private sector job gains were in education and health services, professional and business services, and manufacturing. There were no significant private sector over the month declines. Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 75,400, with an increase of 68,400 in the private sector and an increase of 7,000 in government. The largest private sector job gains were in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and trade, transportation, and utilities. There were no significant private sector over the year declines.

Over the year, the unemployment rate is up five-tenths of a percentage point from 3.0 percent. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 88,400, total employment increased 72,400 and the number of unemployed increased 16,100. The national unemployment rate declined from 4.1 percent in December 2017 to 3.9 percent in December 2018.

How Does Your Garden Grow in Leadville Today?

From fresh flowers to locally grown vegetables the Tennessee Pass Cafe garden can be seen (once the snow melts!) along the Mineral Belt Trail just off Highway 24 (across from Family Dollar). Support your Leadville farmers and enjoy a true farm-to-table experience at this downtown eatery at E. 3rd & historic Harrison Avenue. Photo: Leadville Today