🍂 November in the Grand Valley is a season of gratitude, transition, and thoughtful planning.

With the harvest season coming to a close, cooler days signal a shift from fieldwork to reflection and preparation. Producers are finishing up fall tasks, monitoring cover crops, and taking steps to protect and rebuild soil health through the winter months. The last hues of autumn mark the culmination of a year’s effort and the anticipation of what lies ahead.

At Mesa Conservation District, we’re honored to support our agricultural community as they plan for resilient operations, invest in soil and water stewardship, and carry conservation practices into the next season. This month, we reflect with gratitude on the land and for the dedicated producers who care for it today and for the generations that will follow.

Joely Anysz - Mesa CD District Manager

MCD Welcomes Wray!

Join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest Board Supervisor, Wray Paul!

I’m a retired engineer who always wanted to own a farm. I got started farming with peaches a couple of decades ago and replanted Cabernet Sauvignon wine grapes in 2017. 

I am passionate about conserving water and soil resources and expanding wildlife habitat. On my grapes, I use organic pesticides, minimal cultivation for weed control, and metered irrigation. We free-range our laying hens in the vineyard, and the goats help with the pruning. 

I hope to help Conservation District stakeholders find economic solutions to conserve our heritage for coming generations. If enough of us make even small changes, we can have a big impact! 

— Wray Paul, MCD Board Supervisor

Mesa Conservation District Awarded Noxious Weed Cost-Share Program

We are thrilled to share that Mesa Conservation District’s Noxious Weed Cost-Share Program has been selected for full award funding through the Colorado State Conservation Board’s Matching Grant! This exciting new program will support landowners in their efforts to combat noxious weeds. Stay tuned for more information and how to get involved in 2026!

Mesa Conservation District Awarded Microhabitat Incubator Grant

Mesa Conservation District has been awarded a grant to develop a regionally specific Microhabitat program with the support of Village and Wilderness! A microhabitat is defined as an area of small or limited extent that differs in character from some surrounding more extensive habitat. Stay tuned for more details in 2026! To learn more about Village and Wilderness, click the logo below.

RiverEdge West Workshop

Mesa Conservation District was proud to participate in the recent Weeds to Wildlife Restoration Workshop. The event brought together landowners, conservation professionals, and community members to explore effective invasive species management and habitat restoration practices that promote healthier landscapes and wildlife populations.

We extend our appreciation to RiversEdge West for hosting this valuable workshop and fostering collaboration across the region. Opportunities like this strengthen our partnerships and support ongoing efforts to improve ecosystem health throughout the Grand Valley. Check out pictures from the event below!

CSU WCRC Field Trips

This past month, Mesa Conservation District partnered with the CSU Western Colorado Research Center as a community host for D51’s fall field trips. Students explored the impacts of drought on local hydrology and gained hands-on insight into water use management and conservation.

We send a special thank you to the Colorado Basin Roundtable PEPO program for supporting our education and outreach efforts. Their contribution helps us continue providing meaningful learning experiences for local students.

Want to know more information about the Grand Valley Water Committee Resource Hub?

This new, wide ranging resource hub has information about irrigation efficiency, water conservation, soil amendments, urban agriculture, financial information, and so much more! This is just the beginning! To view the Resource Hub and to submit your business or resource you would like highlighted, click the button below!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

We appreciate you taking the time to read our newsletter! Below please find links to upcoming events. To be clear, not all these events are hosted by or sponsored by Mesa Conservation District. Whenever possible events will contain links to the appropriate contact to learn more or to register/RSVP.

One of the main goals of Mesa CD is to help spread the word about all the great opportunities to learn from so many great organizations!

You can find more events on our webpage on our regularly updated calendar:

Agriculture Stewardship Tax Credit

A new Colorado Department of Agriculture program rewards farmers and ranchers who adopt conservation practices that improve soil health, water efficiency, and ecosystem diversity.

Important details:
🌾Refundable tax credit for eligible stewardship practices
💵Up to $3 million in credits available statewide each year
🌱Applies to both new and existing conservation practices

Eligible Practices:
🌽Cover cropping, no-till, and soil health improvements
💧Irrigation upgrades and water-use efficiency projects
🐦Habitat restoration and diversified cropping systems

Applications open now! Submissions due by November 10, 2025. Click the picture below to learn more!

Western Colorado Farm and Ranch Innovation Expo

Join Shavano Conservation District in showcasing the latest technologies, tools, and equipment to Western Colorado and surrounding agricultural communities! Demos include soil health, water conservation, livestock management-health, and equipment operation.

Where: Montrose County Event Center, 1036 N 7th Street Montrose, Colorado

Dates: November 13th, 14th, 15th

For more information, click the button below or scan the flier QR code

Support MCD Today!

There are two simple and impactful ways you can help MCD protect and conserve our priceless natural resources!

• Give Directly – Your donation makes a lasting impact. Every contribution—big or small—strengthens our programs that conserve natural resources and safeguard the land for future generations.

• Shop with Purpose – MCD is part of the City Market Community Rewards Program! By linking your City Market card to MCD (organization number BH872), you support local conservation efforts every time you shop—at no cost to you. Your purchases will directly benefit MCD without affecting your fuel points, discounts, or other rewards. Sign up today at City Market Community Rewards

Thank you for your consideration and support!