The Boulder Valley Farming Families fund from the Flatiron Farmers Coalition looks to support young farmers as they start new families.

Longmont

Colorado's farming population is aging, with the number of farmers over 65 far outnumbering those under 35, according to a 2022 US Department of Agriculture census. To address this, the Flatiron Farmers Coalition in Boulder has launched a program offering small grants and free workshops to support new farming families as they navigate the challenges of running a business and raising children.

The Boulder Valley Farming Families Fund helps recipients, such as Helen Skiba and Nelson Esevelt of Artemis Flower Farm, by providing financial support to hire extra help during parental leave. The program aims to ensure young farmers can continue their work without having to choose between their livelihoods and their families, encouraging a new generation to thrive in agriculture.

A program is helping Colorado farmers start new families

The average age of a farmer in Colorado 58 years old and while younger farmers are certainly joining the business the number of farmers at or beyond retirement age far outpaces the number of the young farmers. So we did some digging here and according to a 2022 census from the US Department of Agriculture there are more than 17,000 farmers over the age of 65 and less than 5,000 under the age of 35 in Colorado and this age disparity highlights a need in our state. More needs to be done to support young farmers to ensure they are successful producers. As Denver 7's Colin Riley found out a nonprofit in Boulder is working to provide a solution by helping young farming families grow their businesses while growing a family. There's something about flowers too that we just can't get away from. They provide so much beauty to the world. At Artemis Flower Farm in Longmont Helen Skiba and Nelson Esevelt are growing their dream life. We just love everything that a farm offers and provides and it's really fulfilling. And last August Helen and Nelson fulfilled another dream of theirs. It's okay babu, it's okay. Their own little flower Margo was born. She's a super happy baby. She's you know she likes flowers a lot. She likes our cats. After Margo's birth Helen was away from the farm for two months. A farm that is the family's only source of income and as new parents the demands of running a small business became more complicated. The farm is taking a hit from us not being out here and doing all the things that we used to be able to do with the two of us because one of us is always with her. That's where the Flatiron Farmers Coalition stepped in to help. Their new Boulder Valley Farming Families Fund provides small grants to new farming families and guides them through parenthood with free workshops. Running a farm and a small business is both physically and financially demanding but so is having a kid. That's where this program steps in. It's a solution for farmers so they don't have to choose between growing flowers and growing their family. The goal is to make sure that these families feel like they can step away just a little bit to go through this transition. Lauren Kelso, Policy Chair at the Flatiron Farmers Coalition says for many farming families in the Boulder Valley putting their business on pause is simply not an option. So the funds are largely used by farmers to hire extra help. The intention is to offset the labor costs. Really we drew a direct line between families needing to take time away from the farm whether it's the mother's time to you know heal and bond with her new baby or the father's time to support that growth. The goal of the fund and the coalition is to encourage and support young farmers as they strive to supply Coloradans with food, flowers and more. The whole point of programs like this is like how do we make this a career that people can survive in and better yet thrive. In Longmont. These are our people. This is the work we we care about seeing carried forward. Collin Riley for Denver 7. And if you'd like to apply to the fund or contribute you can find the link on Denver7.com and Collin is committed to sharing unique stories from Boulder County and if you'd have a story you'd like for him to check out scan the QR code there on your screen or email him at Collin Riley, Collin.Riley at Denver7.com

Talks between the U.S. President and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded without an agreement on ending the war in Ukraine, despite being widely anticipated as a possible turning point.

Anchorage

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy set to meet U.S. president Monday after no ceasefire deal

For the first time in a decade, Vladimir Putin was on U.S. soil for a much-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump. The U.S. and Russian presidents were supposed to discuss a deal to put an end to Moscow’s war against Ukraine, but they did not mention a ceasefire after the talks.

Trump, Putin wrap up talks with no mention of ceasefire

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska for a high-stakes summit over ending the war in Ukraine. Nancy Cordes and Margaret Brennan have coverage and analysis.

What we know about the high-stakes summit between Trump and Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin have arrived in Alaska ahead of their high stakes talks on Ukraine. The expected one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin has expanded to include U.S. officials Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio and other Russian officials.

Trump, Putin arrive in Alaska for historic summit

Israel's far-right finance minister approved the construction of a controversial new settlement in the West Bank, saying it "finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state." But it's unclear if this move will actually go through. Rights groups swiftly condemned the plan.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli finance minister approves new West Bank settlement

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated in an interview that he hoped to push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward a second meeting but acknowledged there was a chance Friday’s meeting would not succeed.

Washington

Trump shifts tone, confident on deal to end Ukraine war

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalei Smotrich said a plan to add more than 3,000 homes to a controversial settlement in the West Bank would bury ‘the idea of a Palestinian state.’

Israel furthers plan for settlement that divides the West Bank

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London. This comes one day before U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine.

London

Zelenskyy, Starmer meet ahead of Trump, Putin summit in Alaska

Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump sounded optimistic about his upcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

Trump says he thinks Putin and Zelenskyy will make peace

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced plans to build another immigrant detention center, dubbing it the "Deportation Depot." The facility will be in North Florida.

Jacksonville

DeSantis announces plan to build another immigrant detention center

President Trump had a virtual call Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday in Alaska. After the call, Zelenskyy said he told Mr. Trump that "Putin is bluffing."

Ukraine's Zelenskyy warns President Trump ahead of meeting with Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would ask the Republican-controlled Congress to extend federal control of Washington's city police force beyond 30 days, escalating his campaign to exert presidential power over the nation's capital.

Trump wants to extend federal control over Washington police

With just hours left to reach a deal on plastics, negotiators in Geneva were scrambling to resolve a deadlock caused by “red lines” of member countries. Nations are crafting the first global, legally binding treaty on plastics pollution at the United Nations office in Switzerland.

Geneva

Global plastics treaty talks in Geneva stall as deadline looms

At least 123 people have been killed in 24 hours, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says people will be given the opportunity to leave Gaza before a planned ground offensive, but no one is being pushed out.

Israeli strikes pound Gaza ahead of planned ground offensive

America's NATO allies stood firmly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the face-to-face meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The European leaders showed a united front that there should be no peace deal without Ukraine's involvement.

Kyiv

NATO allies stand with Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin summit

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must improve conditions for detainees at New York's 26 Federal Plaza, a judge ruled Tuesday.

New York

Judge rules ICE must improve conditions for detainees at NY facility

National Guard troops arrived in Washington, D.C., following President Donald Trump's deployment and federalization of local police to crack down on crime in the nation's capital.

National Guard troops arrive in Washington, D.C.

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had a "very good call" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, days before his scheduled Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump had 'very good call' with Zelenskyy ahead of Putin meeting

Israel's military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, has approved the framework of a plan for a new offensive in Gaza. CBS News Middle East reporter Courtney Kealy has more details.

Israeli military chief approves 'framework' for new Gaza offensive

President Donald Trump said Wednesday there will be “very severe consequences” if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t agree to stop the Ukraine war after Friday’s summit.

Trump warns of 'severe consequences' if Russia doesn't stop war

A Wisconsin woman on Tuesday was found guilty in the United Kingdom of trying to kill a man at point-blank range in 2019. Aimee Betro, 45, was part of a plot with two other co-conspirators to murder Sikander Ali, prosecutors said.

Birmingham

American woman found guilty of UK murder-for-hire plot

Record-high temperatures across Europe are fanning wildfires across the continent. Experts say a warming climate and an increase in flammable vegetation from rural depopulation are major factors.

Madrid

Historic heat fuels fires across Europe

Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán said the EU attempts to set conditions for a meeting to which leaders of the EU were not invited. He also called for an EU-Russia summit.

Brussels

EU leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin talks

President Trump said Monday he expects that Russia and Ukraine will "land swap" certain territories as part of an eventual ceasefire deal. Mr. Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Trump claims 'land swapping' between Russia, Ukraine will happen

Taylor Swift confirmed her 12th studio album, "The Life of a Showgirl," in a teaser for her upcoming appearance on her boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast. Swift did not disclose the release date of the album.

Taylor Swift announces new album, 'The Life of a Showgirl'

U.S. President Donald Trump said that his planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday will be to "feel out" the leader as pressure mounts for Russia and Ukraine to make a peace deal.

Breakdown