Improvements made at farm on town land

Each year since he first received permission to farm the town property by the Hotchkiss sanitation plant, Jerry Thompson has given an update of the improvements he has made. This year he was accompanied by his daughter, Julie.

They submitted a comprehensive report of their work.

Thompson has been farming the property since 2003. His lease is up for renewal this year.

Thompson has plowed and re-seeded the entire 55 acres. All are in production of mixed grasses. He was able to achieve an additional three acres for production by realigning the field boundaries. He has done three years of upgrades on the irrigation system. All fields are now irrigated by the Smith-McKnight Ditch. Thompson does annual soil testing. A lot of weeds and rocks have been removed from the land. He expects to have a larger herd of cattle in the fall on the land. "It's a joy to farm it," Thompson said.

Julie Thompson said agriculture continues to be a big part of our society. She wants to earn a degree in agriculture. The Thompson family appreciates that the Town of Hotchkiss has let them farm the property.

Mike Owens, public works director, noted that Thompson has always been a good steward of the town's property.

Since the lease is up this year, the town will be accepting bids on the farm contract until March 7. The five-year lease will be awarded at the March 14 town council meeting which will be held at Hotchkiss High School at 7 p.m.

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