Blog + Press Releases   

January 2025

Cottage Food Opportunities: A Boost for Rural Communities Like Norwood and the West End

Since the pandemic, a new wave of Americans has turned to their kitchens for comfort and creativity. Now, a growing number of these home cooks and bakers are finding ways to turn their culinary hobbies into profitable ventures. This shift is particularly exciting for rural towns like Norwood, CO, and the West End, where cottage food production can provide a meaningful boost to local economies.

Recent changes in state laws have opened the door for more people to sell food made in their home kitchens, often referred to as “cottage foods.” These include low-risk, shelf-stable items like baked goods, jams, and granola, which can now be sold directly to consumers at farmers’ markets, online, or even from home.

The Cottage Food Advantage for Rural Communities

For rural areas like ours, cottage food production presents a unique opportunity. Residents can create additional income streams without needing to invest in commercial kitchens. This is especially impactful in communities with limited access to larger markets or resources. Cottage food businesses also foster local connections, with neighbors supporting neighbors by buying and selling homemade goods.

Momentum for Cottage Foods Nationwide

The cottage food movement has gained significant momentum over the past year, with many states relaxing regulations to encourage small-scale food production. For example, Florida recently increased the cap on home food sales from $50,000 to $250,000, allowing more people to turn hobbies into full-fledged businesses. In New Jersey, health officials have lifted the state’s longstanding ban on selling homemade food, giving at-home bakers a chance to join the market.

These changes are especially promising for rural communities, where cottage food businesses can help diversify local economies and build stronger community ties.

Learn How to Get Started

To help residents take advantage of these opportunities, the San Miguel Basin Extension Office is hosting a Cottage Food Class taught by Extension Specialist, Ann Duncan on March 4th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Annex, 1110 Summit Street, Norwood, CO. For just $35,  this workshop will cover everything you need to know to start your own cottage food business, including safety guidelines, legal requirements, and tips for success.

Be Part of the Movement

Whether you’re interested in selling your famous jam, perfect pies, or savory snacks, cottage food production offers an accessible path to entrepreneurship. Join us on March 4th to learn how you can turn your culinary creations into a thriving local business.

For more information or to register, contact the San Miguel Basin Extension Office by calling: 970-327-4393 or email Jacqueline Hudson at jacquelineh@sanmiguelcountyco.gov. Let’s work together to make Norwood and the West End a hub for local food and entrepreneurship!

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July 2024

The San Miguel Basin Fair: A Celebration of Community Spirit and Youth Achievement

Norwood, CO The San Miguel Basin Fair kicked off on Sunday, July 7th, with the 4-H Shooting Sports Competition at the 10 Ring Gun Club. This annual event is more than a fair—it’s a celebration of community pride, youthful determination, and rural spirit. From the first rifle crack to the final auctioneer’s call, expect a packed schedule of excitement and camaraderie.

Makayla Gordon, the new Fair Board President, brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the fair. As Executive Director of the West End Economic Development Corporation and a member of the Friends of Norwood Schools Bond Committee, she has long been involved in the community. A former fair participant herself, Gordon has steadily increased her involvement, joining the Fair Board in 2022.

Inspired by longtime leader Regan Snyder’s departure, Gordon aims to expand events and enhance programs for youth, emphasizing the fair’s importance to the community. “The fair drives people to the area and highlights our heritage and traditions,” she says. “It teaches the importance of agriculture to both youth and the community.”

Gordon is grateful for the community’s support, noting the months of effort youth put into their projects. “It’s an honor to help create an event that showcases their hard work,” she shares.

The fair is a lifeline for San Miguel Basin’s West End, weaving together generations through shared traditions. It fosters resilience, responsibility, and lifelong friendships in young competitors. Throughout the week, various exciting events will keep the community engaged and entertained. Highlights include:

• Friday, July 12th: General Project Interviews followed by an Open Gymkhana at 6 p.m. in the Outdoor Arena.
• Saturday, July 13th: The Youth Horse Show at 10 a.m. at the Fairgrounds Events Center, Dessert Contest Registration from 2-5 p.m. at Norwood School, and Public Dessert Tasting at 6 p.m., also at Norwood School.
• Wednesday, July 17th: CSU Carcass Meat Quality Presentation at 10:30 a.m., 4-H Council Capture the Flag & Water Balloon Fight at 1 p.m., Open Fair entries from 3-7 p.m., and Pig Showmanship & Market Pig Show at 7 p.m., all at the Fairgrounds Event Center.
• Thursday, July 18th: Small Animal Show at 10 a.m., Small Animal Round Robin following the show, Catch-A-Chicken at 12 p.m., 4-H Council Cornhole Tournament at 2 p.m., Pee Wee Bucket Lamb Show at 6:30 p.m., and Lamb Showmanship & Market Lamb Show at 7 p.m., all at the Fairgrounds Event Center.
• Friday, July 19th: Goat Showmanship & Market Goat Show at 9 a.m., Open Fair open to the public from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Annex, 4-H Council Scavenger Hunt at 1 p.m., Pee Wee Bucket Calf Show at 6:30 p.m., and Beef Showmanship & Market Beef Show at 7 p.m., all at the Fairgrounds Event Center.
• Saturday, July 20th: Round Robin Showmanship at 9 a.m., Open Fair open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Annex, Livestock Sale BBQ at 11:30 a.m., Catch-A-Heifer Competition at 1 p.m., Junior Livestock Sale following the competition, and Family Dance at 8 p.m., all at the Fairgrounds Event Center.

Get Involved!

Community support is key to the fair’s success. Volunteers are always needed to keep things running smoothly. “As a youth participant, I loved learning from our community and stakeholders,” adds Gordon, “I hope to see this continue long into the future.”

Support our 4-Hers beyond applause! Buy livestock at the Junior Livestock Sale or sponsor a project with “add-ons,” (link provided at the San Miguel County Website, listed below).  New this year, we’ll auction general project items alongside livestock,  like a handcrafted wooden gun rack and handmade leather goods.

Visit the 4-H Council concession stand for coffee from Walk-In Coffee in Naturita, smoked meats from the Weimers, and herb-infused lemonades from Juan. Proceeds benefit 4-H programs, ensuring the success of our local youth.

The San Miguel Basin Fair is a cherished tradition celebrating the spirit of Norwood. Join us in this community event filled with cheers, handshakes, and hugs.

For more information, event schedules, and participant registration, visit https://www.sanmiguelcountyco.gov/491/San-Miguel-Basin-Fair-and-Rodeo or contact the Extension Office at 970-327-4393.

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June 2024

San Miguel Basin 4-H Welcomes CSU Intern for a Week of Community Enrichment

From June 9th to 15th, the San Miguel Basin 4-H had the pleasure of hosting an enthusiastic intern from Colorado State University, Madeline Cummings. A junior majoring in biology, Madeline brought her passion for science and community engagement to the rural landscapes of San Miguel County. Her internship provided valuable experiences both for herself and the 4-H youth she mentored, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

I was inspired to choose this internship because of the deeply personal connections I knew I would make with ranchers in San Miguel County,” says Madeline.  “I grew up hearing about my family’s farm in Sterling, Colorado; that farm supported my family for generations. With that knowledge, I knew I could talk to ranchers about their lives and perspectives. I was curious to learn more about ranching and rural Colorado.”

During her week-long internship, Madeline focused on coaching and guiding the 4-H youth in interviewing their ranching family members. These interviews were not just casual conversations but a structured effort to document the rich history and heritage of multi-generational ranching families in the area. Notable families included the Snyders, the Alexanders, and the Schmids, each of whom are respected and revered old-timers within the community.

Madeline’s role involved teaching 4-H members how to formulate meaningful questions, conduct interviews, and capture the essence of their family stories. This exercise was particularly significant as it provided the younger generation with a deeper understanding of their heritage and the historical context of their family’s ranching operations. The process also helped in fostering a sense of pride and continuity among the youth, bridging the gap between past and present.

Madeline shares, “One of my memorable experiences from the week was seeing the looks on the faces of the youth when they got to ask their family members questions about their lives. I loved watching young and old connect over these questions. I hope it brings the families closer together because they can keep these interviews for future generations, the generational knowledge will not be forgotten.”

In addition to this work, Madeline dedicated time to sorting through historical archives at the extension office. These archives, dating back to 1932, contain a wealth of information about the county’s agricultural and ranching history. Her meticulous efforts in organizing and cataloging these documents have made them more accessible for research and public viewing.

The youth-conducted interview recordings along with a curated selection of archival materials, will be displayed at the Log Cabin Museum in Norwood, for the month of June. The exhibition will be open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays, offering a unique glimpse into the rich ranching history of San Miguel County.

This productive week in San Miguel County is just a portion of Madeline’s summer-long internship with the CSU archives. Throughout the summer, she will continue to research San Miguel County and its ranching history, providing ongoing support for the evolving Log Cabin Museum exhibit.

Madeline was also busy prior to her visit to Norwood.  “I used my background in biology to research information about water and environmental issues in the San Miguel Basin,” she shares, “and my background in education helped me to work with the kids to write questions and create materials for the interviews.”

The Log Cabin Museum’s exhibition, showcasing the audio interviews and archival materials, is expected to be a highlight of Fair Month. It offers visitors an opportunity to learn about the county’s ranching heritage directly from those who have lived it. The exhibition is a testament to the community’s rich history and the importance of preserving it for future generations. 

Madeline is hopeful that the audio interviews and archival exhibitions will inform residents of San Miguel County of the important work of area ranching families.  She says, “While many families who come to the fair will already understand the importance of ranching, many may not know these ranches’ histories and significance to this area. I hope the recordings will encourage younger generations to continue this important work.”

Madeline Cummings’ internship is a shining example of how academic institutions and local communities can collaborate for mutual benefit. “This project focused on the familial connections between local 4-Hers and prominent ranchers in the area.  These young people are incredibly lucky to have sat down and interviewed their family members in a formal setting.  The generational knowledge and memories that were passed down to them during these short interviews hopefully will remain core memories as they grow up.”  Madeline continues, “ It was also amazing to see the relationship between the kids and the interviewees grow throughout the interview, and I am grateful I was able to see it happen before my eyes.”

As Fair Month draws near, the community can look forward to celebrating its heritage and the contributions of individuals  who help keep its history alive.  Join San Miguel Basin 4-H Youth at the San Miguel Basin Fair July 12-20, kicked off with a shooting sports competition at the 10-Ring Gun Club in Nucla on July 7th.  The San Miguel Basin Archival Exhibit will be on display throughout the month of July at the Log Cabin Museum, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For museum tours at other times, visitors can call 970-708-8245 for a private tour with Barbara Youngblood. 

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May 2024

The Benefits of a Robust 4-H Program in Your Community

Navigating our rapidly changing world takes an inevitable toll on our hearts, bodies and
psyches. However, amidst this chaos, our unique rural-scape offers hope in honoring age-old
traditions. In the San Miguel Basin, growing 4-H programming embraces change by grounding
itself in timeless wisdom; embracing the philosophy that it is a healthy knowledge of practices of
old combined with an observant finger on the pulse of what’s to come that will continue to light a
hopeful path forward for all.
Our local youth carry a unique burden, straddling old-world, rich, rural legacies of agriculture
and community solidarity, while navigating the demands of new-world modern technology and
individualism. So it is with pride that we announce the simple significance of our local 4-H
programming: we are helping our youth, the leaders of tomorrow, make sense of a world that
makes no sense at all.
On Sunday, May 19, 4-H members and their parents gathered to sand and paint benches, gun
racks, and the tool shed at the 10 Ring Gun Club in Nucla. This service, required by the (mostly
unaltered since 1902) 4-H manual, highlights the importance of community, and obligation to the
world around us amid declining volunteerism in the United States. For 4-H youth, such activities
instill empathy, compassion, and responsibility, steering them away from social media’s inward
pull towards a more connected and symbiotic existence. Witnessing even the youngest
members hard at work brings a sense of peace to our modern lives.
The recent surge in 4-H membership and leadership in our community underscores the
program’s profound impact. As we look forward to summer activities and the San Miguel Basin
Fair, we celebrate 4-H’s contributions and welcome new participants with open arms.
Empowering Youth through Education and Leadership
At the heart of 4-H is a mission to empower youth through hands-on learning and leadership.
Our local program offers diverse projects, from agriculture to cake decorating, blending rural
traditions with modern innovation. Carefully crafted curriculum merges academic rigor with
real-world application, arming young people with exactly what they need to survive and thrive in
a fast-changing world: consistency and practicality but also a fiery curiosity that will enable them
to ask the right questions and form the right ideas as the world spins faster and faster.
“4H programming allows juniors to discover and grow their talents in areas otherwise
unavailable to them,” 4-H parent, Ken Lukaszewski says. “The Ag projects are especially
advantageous for youth to learn about their livestock, take responsibility and raise their animals
with rigorous procedure and methods which mimics real-life situations for producers in the area.
If we give kids a positive experience they will embrace and exceed our expectations.”
Building Stronger Communities

4-H programs build stronger communities by teaching children the value of joyfully giving back
to and gratefully engaging deeply with the places and people that support them. This
engagement, supported by dedicated volunteers, cultivates unity and shared responsibility and
gives youth a sense of their place and unique strengths and roles within the community.
“4-H has allowed my daughter to build confidence, learn responsibility, accept that actions can
have positive and negative consequences, and learn about real-life budgeting,” says 3-year 4-H
parent, Laurel Henderson. “4-H teaches commitment and shows young people what it feels like
to be part of a community. Families, kids, neighbors, parents and community members all work
together for the betterment of our youth, and it is a gift to be a part of. I can’t imagine our town
without it.”
4-H empowers youth to take on leadership roles, fostering a new generation of community
leaders. Programming, which emphasizes skill development across diverse projects, facilitates
networking among members, volunteers, and involved community members promoting
collaboration and resource sharing.
Welcoming members from various backgrounds, 4-H celebrates diversity, belonging, and
acceptance. Its activities and events raise public awareness, showcase youth talents, and
highlight community achievements, enhancing visibility, pride, and engagement. 4-Hers are
proud of their community – it is made clear in the pledge they recite at every club meeting: “For
my community, my country and my world.”
“By grounding 4-Her action in this pride, the hope is that a rising tide of hope, unity, and dignity
will lift all boats and that a strengthened community might share in the positive ripple effects
initiated by these young people’s hard work, said 4-H Coordinator, Annika Kristiansen”
Volunteer Opportunities and Community Involvement
Volunteers are the backbone of 4-H, essential to our programs’ success. We seek to expand our
programming and invite community members to consider the following volunteer roles:
Project Leaders: Experts in areas like agriculture, science, arts, or technology to lead groups or
workshops! We’re especially interested in projects related to cooking, baking, fiber arts,
woodworking, gardening or livestock.
Club Leaders: Oversee 4-H clubs, organize monthly meetings, coordinate activities, and support
members. We would love to see more general project clubs to complement our existing
livestock-based ones in Naturita, Norwood, and Telluride.
Event Coordinators: Manage logistics, planning, and execution of events, activities and
competitions. Perfect for “idea people” who have strong visions for engaging our local youth.
Longtime local 4-H leader, Cimmy Alexander has seen how 4-H has made a difference on the
region’s young people.

“Volunteering with 4-H is a deeply rewarding experience, allowing individuals to have a
significant impact on the lives of young people,” Alexander said. “We all love this place we call
home, and supporting the next generation who will also call this place home is one of the best
ways to express that love.”
Your support and participation are greatly appreciated!
For more information on how to get involved, please contact our 4-H office or visit our website.
Annika Kristiansen can be reached at annikak@sanmiguelcountyco.gov or 970-327-4393, ext. 2
Colorado State University Extension.

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May 2024

Empowering Youth: San Miguel Basin’s 4-H Shooting Sports Program Takes Aim at Positive Development

In the serene landscapes of the San Miguel Basin, a new initiative is blossoming, dedicated to equipping youth with skills, discipline, and responsibility.  The 4-H Shooting Sports Program has emerged as a beacon of opportunity, providing a platform for young individuals to learn safe firearm handling, foster their passion for marksmanship, and develop essential life skills within a supportive community environment.

Embedded within the ethos of 4-H and supported by the Colorado State University (CSU) Extension, Shooting Sports has been reintroduced to San Miguel and West Montrose Counties, complementing the already established 4-H program.  This return to Shooting Sports underscores a commitment to holistic youth development, tailored to the specific realities of the area.  For decades, 4-H has been synonymous with nurturing leadership, citizenship, and personal growth among young individuals.  By reintegrating shooting sports into the local chapter’s offerings, new avenues are opened for youth to explore their interests while embracing core values of safety, sportsmanship, and camaraderie.

Under the dynamic leadership of Volunteer Leader, Jarred Garcia, the San Miguel County 4-H Shooting Sports Program has flourished, attracting 24 enthusiastic participants in its inaugural year.  Garcia’s dedication and vision promise an enriching journey for the youth involved. Emphasizing safety protocols, skill-building, and mentorship, Garcia ensures that every participant experiences growth, both on and off the shooting range as he echos the 4-H standards, “We are making champion kids, not champion shooters. Positive youth development is our main focus,” he maintains.  “This means promoting high standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behaviors, but also supporting the development of stronger families, and helping youth to cultivate good character.”

As a CSU-certified instructor, Garcia leads program participants through a structured curriculum, adhering to stringent safety standards.  While Garcia currently oversees .22 Rifle and Shotgun disciplines, plans are underway to expand leaders and certifications to encompass more disciplines by 2025.  Each discipline, from archery to muzzleloading, offers unique educational material that broadens youths’ perspectives beyond the shooting range.

“The vision for our new and growing shooting sports program is to keep youth involved and accomplishing shooting goals throughout their lives,” says Garcia.  “Helping our youth to construct a positive view about firearms by learning to use them as tools is key.  My hope is that this early respect will follow them throughout their lives.”

4-H extends far beyond shooting sports, offering a diverse range of projects and activities that cultivate well-rounded skills in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.  Participants engage in hands-on learning experiences, from tending to livestock to mastering public speaking.  Such immersive opportunities foster confidence, resilience, and a sense of responsibility, preparing youth for adulthood with poise and purpose.

As the summer season approaches, excitement mounts for the upcoming San Miguel Basin Fair and with it, the first San Miguel Basin Shooting Sports Championship.  Scheduled for Sunday, July 7th, at 10 a.m., the championship promises to showcase marksmanship prowess and sportsmanship spirit; highlighting the diligent efforts put forth by local 4-Hers.  Hosted at the esteemed 10 Ring Gun Club in Nucla, the event will bring together participants from across San Miguel and West Montrose Counties to compete, collaborate, and celebrate their achievements.

In the tranquil valleys of San Miguel Basin, a new journey begins—a journey fueled by passion, guided by principles, and illuminated by the promise of youth empowerment.  As the maiden voyage of the 4-H Shooting Sports Program unfolds, it heralds a new chapter in the rich tapestry of community development, where every shot fired echoes with the aspirations of our local, rural generation poised for greatness.

For more information on San Miguel Basin’s local 4-H Chapter or the shooting sports program, contact Annika Kristiansen, San Miguel County’s 4-H Coordinator, at annikak@sanmiguelcountyco.gov.

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Spring 2024

Leader Spotlight: Shelley Donnellon

In the San Miguel Basin, 4-H is not just a program offered to youth, it is a way of life for entire families; a community and a tradition passed down for generations.

Each year, young people from Telluride, the West End, Norwood and West Montrose sign up for projects ranging from Entomology and Rocketry to Leathercraft, Ceramics, Filmmaking, Metalworking, Food Preservation and more.  Steers, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens are meticulously cared for; bred and fed to a science and weighed to ensure optimal health.

In 4-H, informal education is learning by doing and happens cooperatively, individually and competitively.  Club leaders provide educational programs and experiences that bolster their members’ acquisition of life, leadership and problem solving skills.  Young people learn about the production and wise use of food and fiber, the conservation of our world’s natural resources and the responsibility behind participating in their local communities.

Shelley Donnelon, one of San Miguel Basin’s many 4-H leaders, has been steeped in this special programming since she was old enough to enroll at age eight.  As a youngster, her father had participated in 4-H and wanted to pass its values along to the next generation.  

Now, with children of her own, and in charge of Norwood’s Lone Cone Club, Donnellon works to instill civic responsibility, community-mindedness and empathy in the minds of her flock.  “I want young adults to realize the importance of hard work and how much their drive can really pay off,” she says.  “I want to show them how to be a part of something bigger than themselves and that by working together, they can greatly improve a community.”

While 4-H is more than about livestock (a fact often overlooked), Donnellon holds agricultural facets of the programming in high regard.  “I want these kids to understand how to raise a market animal that they would actually want their families to eat,” she says.  “Exposing these kids to what happens when we raise animals to eat and how hard it can be to lose something we’ve put so much time and effort into and care so much about helps them relate to real life situations.”

As a school teacher, Donnellon emphasizes experiential learning and the application of knowledge in real-world situations.  “This approach fosters active learning and encourages ownership of their learning experiences, empowering youth to become confident, capable, and engaged members of society.”  Donnellon praises 4-H as an opportunity for kids to “explore an area of interest in a guided way that could take them really far one day in any direction they choose.”  4-H projects often lend the participant experience and interest towards career paths or higher educational pursuits. 

Donnellon, born and raised in the San Miguel Basin left only to attend college and start a family.  This place, however, is where she really wants her children to grow and flourish.  Her deep respect for the area’s rich, ranching heritage, tradition and culture fuels her desire to preserve its long-cultivated history.  Her interest in promoting farm-to-table ethics in the region guides her programming as she helps her club to explore passions in the arts, health, leadership, STEM, agriculture, and more. 

The 4-H program is historically malleable; constantly shifting with the times to accommodate new technology, perspectives and ways of thinking and being.  As an extension of Colorado State University, this programming reinforces education, diversity, idea-sharing, equity and inclusion.  It is a living and breathing program that has been around since the early 1900s and continues to be both a reflection of the communities it inhabits as well as a north star for growth and change.  

“I am so happy to be part of something that we have been participating in for generations,” Donnellon concludes. “We are always learning and growing. Getting to share this with others is the best.”  

And truly, she is right.  In rural communities like our own, it is through programs like 4-H that generational knowledge can be passed down, new and evolved ideas can be passed up and collective identity can be shaped with a powerful amalgamation of new and old, experimental and tried and true.  

For more information on San Miguel Basin 4-H, please contact 4-H Coordinator, Annika Kristiansen at annikak@sanmiguelcountyco.gov. 

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