Members' Blog

We caught up with Sioned Davies from Brecknock YFC to hear all about her experience in Colorado!

I am coming to the end of a three-month trip in Colorado where I have spent time with 3 different families in three different areas of the state. I started my travels in and around Boulder where we hiked the flatirons, travelled to Red Rocks Amphitheatre and I had my first taste of Colorado style pizza, which is pizza crust drizzled in honey! We also spent a weekend camping in the Rocky Mountain National Park which was a great experience.

My second host family were located a few hours south of Boulder in a town called Rye. The Colorado State Fair was in the nearby town of Pueblo so I spent a few days eating American fair food, getting to know the 4H exhibitors and attended my first rodeo which was a great experience!

I also spent time out with the farmers on the Mesa which is an area that mainly grows pinto beans, melons, corn and the popular Pueblo chili. Water (and the lack of it) is the main issue facing these farmers as they rely on a good snow pack on the mountains during the winter to sustain them during the summer. There is also complex water rights issues in Colorado that benefit older farms and ranches which makes it extremely difficult for new entrants.

I am now with my third and final host family located in Rifle. I have spent time out with beef farmers gathering cattle on horseback, learning about the benefits of virtual fencing for ranchers on 10,000+ acres and enjoying the natural hot springs at Glenwood! I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience so far and can’t believe the trip is soon coming to an end!