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<br />BACKGROUND
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<br />Prime Farmland is one of our nation's most im-
<br />portant resources. When managed properly, this ex-
<br />ceptional land can be farmed continuously or nearly
<br />Conti nuou5ly without degrading the environment. It
<br />responds to fertilizers and o[licr suit amendments,
<br />and requires the least energy input to maintain
<br />productivity. Ilowever, like other natural resources
<br />such as coal, oil, or natural gas, [he supply of this
<br />good land, suitable for crop production, is lilni tell,
<br />Factors such as quality and quantity of irri-
<br />gation water, 50115, adap tahllity of crops, diversity
<br />in types of agriculture and accessibility to markets,
<br />as well as other considerations play an important
<br />role In maintaining a viable agricultural enterprise.
<br />Tlie in (o emotion provided on this map does not address
<br />all of these (actors. However, it is a necessary first
<br />step in evaluating the agricultural production
<br />capability of a county in terms of kinds, extent,
<br />and distribution of life agricultural lands.
<br />fire U.S. Department of Ayricultu re, Soil
<br />Conservation Service, was charged with the major
<br />responsibility for tdentifying and locating
<br />Prince and Unique Farmlands. In addition to tl,e se
<br />lands, which are cmisidered to be of national
<br />importance, the Important Farmland Progr ain also
<br />encouraged the identification of Farmlands of
<br />statewide and local importance. Responsibility
<br />for identifying and locating these lands was
<br />given to the State Experiment Stations in cooperation
<br />with regional, county, and local units of government,
<br />and other persons Involved in planning the use of
<br />land resources.
<br />The information supplied on this map can be
<br />u sefui 1n planning at local, regional, and state
<br />levels, as well as at the national level. This
<br />inventory is no[ Intended to designate specific
<br />land use. This is a prerogative of state and local
<br />oflic fats.
<br />CATEGORY DEFINITIONS ACID CRITERIA
<br />Famnl ands of National Importance
<br />FR IFIE FARMLAND, In general, prime (arnllands in
<br />Colorado have adequate arrd dependable water supply
<br />from irrlgat ion (a dependable water supply is one
<br />in which enou glr water is available (or irrigation
<br />in D out of 10 years, for crops commonly grown);
<br />a favor able temperature and growing season; acceptable
<br />acidity or alkalinity; acceptable salt and sodiwn
<br />content; and few or no rocks. They are permeable
<br />to water and air. Prime Farmlands are not excessively
<br />erodible or saturated with water for long periods
<br />of time and they ei tlrer do not flood frequently or
<br />are protected from flooding. Specific criteria used
<br />Co identify Prime Farmland can be found 1n Public
<br />Law 9G - D7 section GG7.5; published in the Federal
<br />Register on January 31, 1978.'
<br />UfII QUE FARI1L AIlU. Unique farmland is land other [Ilan
<br />Prime Farmland that is used for the production of
<br />spec lflc Ill glr value food and fiber crops. It Iras the
<br />special comb lna[fon of soil quality, location, grow-
<br />ing season, and moisture supply needed to economy-'
<br />tally produce sustained hl glr quality and/or Iri gli yield
<br />of a specific crap, when treated and managed
<br />according to acceptable farming methods. There are
<br />two situations in Colorado which are co nsldered
<br />_Un gu-( ~e Far_nil ands of IVatiorial ~Im~o rtan.ee,._ They _are:
<br />Elie' feu iT ortlrar~s-fn the Grand Val Ley. and. the.__
<br />Delta-Montrose areas, and the seed potato and
<br />fruit a-' nTvegeta6l'e- proluc-ing a"reas.of-tlrc~San
<br />uls aC-'~ilev: ---
<br />The category "Prime Farmland," preecnry [s all
<br />others. Tlrereforc, only those fruit and vegetable
<br />producing areas which are not Prime Farmlands art
<br />considered "Unique."
<br />Farmlands of Statewide In~rtance
<br />These categories of land, in addition to Prime
<br />and Unique Farmlands of National Importance, are of
<br />statewide importance fpr the production of food,
<br />feed, fiber, (o rage, and oilseed crops. Criteria
<br />for defining [his land was determined by representa-
<br />tives of the Colorado State Exper intent Station,
<br />the Colorado State Department of Agr icvlture, anJ
<br />the Colorado State Soil Conservation Doard. two
<br />categories of these Statewide Important Farmlands
<br />have bee~l identified.
<br />IRRIGATED LAUDS (NOT PRIME). These are irrigated
<br />lands which for one or more reasons, do not meet
<br />the requirements for Prime Farnil and. Ilowever,
<br />lands in this category are impor Wn[ to [he
<br />aye icultural economy in Colorado. Ex a~np les of
<br />properties which exclude these lands (rain Prime
<br />Farmlands are: 1) surface soils wli fete are liiylily
<br />susceptible to soil blowing, which is a coimnon
<br />problem along the Pla tie River Valley, and 2) an
<br />accumulation of soluble salts and/or a iii gli water
<br />table wlri Clr are Connno fi problems in Some areas of
<br />[he Arkansas Valley and in the San Luis Valley.
<br />In most ins [antes, these farmlands can be farmed
<br />successFUlly with Intensive erosion control
<br />practice, drainage improvement, or with greater
<br />inputs of fertilizer and Soil amendinen Cs. Hhen
<br />manage) properly, these soils may have yields
<br />equal to those of Prime Farmlands.
<br />There are certain areas of "Irrigate) Lands
<br />(Not Prime)" that produce specifir, vops that
<br />have special significance to the agriculture of Che
<br />state. Although [Irese crops could be grown in
<br />many oilier parts of Colorado (which by definition
<br />exclude them from "Unique Farmlands") they
<br />should receive special consideration when planning
<br />and evaluating the agricultural resources of
<br />the state. These areas have a combina lion of
<br />soils, climate, I~istoric land use and/or geographic
<br />location which contribute to the growing of specific
<br />crops 1n these areas. Examples of these are:
<br />mountain hay nm allows, which Contribute to the
<br />viability of [lie local livestock industry; fruit
<br />and vegetable growing are a5 and certified fruit
<br />and vegetable seed producing areas of life Arkansas,
<br />Platte, and Prospect Valleys.
<br />IRRIGATED LAUD (WATER SUPPLY INADEQUATE). Some
<br />counties have lands iden lifted which are irrigated
<br />but the water supply is inadequate to meet [Ire
<br />moisture requirements for Prime. Farmland.
<br />N IG11 PDTt NT IAL URY CROPLAND. These soils have
<br />adequate mo is Cu re supply and water holding capacity
<br />fm• an alternate crap-fallow system. They arc not
<br />salt or sodiwn affeC led, Nhcn nianaycd properly, they
<br />are no[ Iri glily erosive. Altlrou glr yield is not used
<br />as specific criteria for defining this ca [e gory,
<br />these soils can bo ezpec led to yield 20 bu site is of
<br />whr,al pqr at:rn nr Ugtlgr Imdm• a whRat-fallen rolal.inn,
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