Article by Julie Waechter, special to Adams State
After a semester as project assistant in the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center, Adams State University sophomore Stefanie Lopez has a greater understanding of the challenges facing the agriculture industry in the San Luis Valley.
“This experience reinforced my commitment to agriculture and emphasized the importance of water. It’s scary to become a farmer or rancher, knowing you might not have the water. This uncertainty makes it hard to pick a career,” said the Monte Vista, CO, native who is majoring in business administration, agribusiness emphasis. Her father directs the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Service in Monte Vista.
The Salazar Center was established in 2016 by a $250,000 gift to Adams State from the Salazar family, which has farmed and ranched in the San Luis Valley for five generations. The center was created to advance the conservation of land, water, and historic and cultural attributes at the headwaters of the Rio Grande in the San Luis Valley. The Salazar Center recently hosted the Rio Grande State of the Basin Symposium. The keynote speaker was Kevin Fedarko, a New York Times bestselling author of The Emerald Mile and A Walk in the Park.
The Salazar family includes 1981 Adams State alumnus John Salazar, former Agriculture Commissioner of Colorado, as well as a former representative in the U.S. House, Colorado 3rd district, and in the Colorado House, 62nd district. Ken Salazar most recently served as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, having been U.S Secretary of the Interior, U.S. Senator for Colorado, and Attorney General for Colorado. LeRoy Salazar served as a trustee for Adams State for several years.
“During my time with the Salazar Center, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the complex water issues facing the San Luis Valley,” Lopez said. “This has broadened my understanding of the San Luis Valley, not just as a geographic area, but as a living area facing historical and modern challenges. While deepening my knowledge, I have developed several skills, including research, professional communication, and public outreach. I also improved my ability to work collaboratively, manage projects with attention to detail, and engage with community partners in an informed manner. These skills have been proven valuable in both my academic and professional career.”
Paul Formisano, Ph.D., Director of the Salazar Rio Grande del Norte Center, said, “Stefanie was a great help as she worked on press releases and social media posts; assisted in planning, organizing, and presenting at the Symposium; and helping me better gauge student interests. She has a bright future!”
