Setting Colorado's Table: New Coffee Table Book Celebrates 150 Years of Agricultural Legacy

In celebration of America's 250th anniversary and Colorado's 150th year of statehood, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), in partnership with History Colorado, has released a new commemorative coffee table book titled "Setting Colorado's Table: 150 Years of Agricultural Legacy."

The limited edition book, written by History Colorado's Head of Curatorial Services Dr. Rachael Storm, explores the state's rich agricultural narrative through five core themes: Water, Land, Life, Resilience, and Celebration. The book's cover features a reproduction of a 35-foot mural created by Colorado's Thomas "Detour" Evans.

"Colorado has a rich agricultural history producing the best fruits, vegetables, salsas, breads, and meats in the nation. As much as it's about food, it's also about people. I am proud of our Colorado producers whose hard work puts delicious and fresh food on our tables, are stewards of our waters and lands, and represent who we are as a state. I look forward to Coloradans getting an opportunity to learn more about Colorado's proud agricultural history by reading this one-of-a-kind book," said Governor Polis.

To continue the work of protecting Colorado's soils, $30 from each book sold will go directly to farmers and ranchers to advance their stewardship work through the Colorado Soil Health Program.

"As we mark these historic milestones, this book serves as a bridge between our past and future. It honors the resilience and innovation of the farmers and ranchers who have stewarded this land for generations, including long before statehood, setting the table for all Coloradans," said Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg. "We are also investing in the future of Colorado agriculture by giving a portion of the proceeds of this book directly back to farmers and ranchers: 30 dollars from the sale of each book will go directly to producers enrolled in the Colorado Soil Health Program, which provides financial and technical support to ag producers integrating soil health practices into their operations."

The "Setting Colorado's Table" book features a narrative history alongside a collection of deeply personal stories and essays that provide a window into the diverse experiences of those who have shaped the state's agricultural past and present.

"Technology has changed, economics have changed, but at the heart of it all are our Colorado families who are farming and ranching and putting in that dedication and work, and taking that risk to feed us every year," said book author Dr. Rachael Storm.

While this book is not a comprehensive history, it serves as an important historical record, capturing unique, powerful, and diverse histories of our agricultural communities. It honors the people who have stewarded Colorado's resources for generations - farmers, ranchers, ag workers, conservationists, researchers and entrepreneurs - setting the table for all Coloradans.

"This book is a fitting testimony to all of Colorado's farmers, ranchers and producers throughout the state's 150 years. It graphically portrays the values of hard work, sacrifice, and commitment that remain today on every farm and ranch in the state," said former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The book will serve as a reminder through the years of grit and determination of Colorado's farmers and ranchers and the important and unique role they have played in contributing to a strong and vibrant economy especially in rural Colorado."

As part of this project, History Colorado collected more than two dozen oral histories from people across the state who've had a part in shaping our state's agricultural heritage.

Dr. Storm will also travel the state to speak about the book, with stops scheduled in Durango, San Luis, Lamar, Wray, Alamosa, and Dillon.

The book is now available for sale through the History Colorado online store or in person at the History Colorado Center and will be available at bookstores and other retail venues around the state later this summer. Additionally, limited edition unframed prints of CDA's ag mural created by Detour are also available through the History Colorado bookstore.