Colorado Youth Outdoors continues to convert farm fields into a future Christmas tree farm, thanks to a generous donation of equipment and services from 4Rivers Equipment in Fort Collins. During eco-week, April 17-19, students in grades eight through 11 from Ascent Classical Academy in Windsor will plant 3,500 evergreen trees on about seven acres on CYO’s property located at Kechter Road and Larimer County Road 5, just south of Timnath.
“We will plant a variety of evergreen seedlings in rows,” said CYO Facilities Coordinator Wayne Brungardt. “Since some trees have roots that spread while others go straight down, it helps to plant different varieties next to each other. The seedlings range in size from 12 inches to 18 inches, depending on the variety.”
Last April – also with help from students, individuals and businesses – CYO planted 5,000 evergreen trees. In about five years, the nonprofit organization to start including tree cutting as part of its annual family NoCo Winter Wonderland fundraiser.
CYO’s motto is Building Relationships through Traditional Outdoor Recreation. So, it’s only natural that it celebrates eco-week by offering opportunities for kids to get in touch with the land. On April 22, CYO hosts Precision Farm Solutions Farm Day, and invites area high school students to join them for the half-day event to explore careers in agriculture, taking part in a hands-on event that includes learning how to run farming equipment. Students can fly a drone or test drive all the latest and greatest farm equipment, before going fishing or trying their hand at archery.
“CYO is deeply appreciative of 4RiversEquipment and its Precision Farm Solutions division,” said CYO President Bob Hewson. “It’s our partners who make it possible to for us to offer this fun Saturday afternoon to 50 participants at no cost.”
Learn more and register at bit.ly/CYOfarmday or call 970-663-0800.
Colorado Youth Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was created in 2001. CYO’s mission is to build relationships and bring kids and parents closer through traditional outdoor recreation. To help accomplish this, CYO integrates the words Participate, Appreciate, Communicate, and Dedicate into their recreation curriculum, which they call the PACD Model. The nonprofit works to incorporate PACD into all activities, which include spin and fly fishing, archery, camping, shooting sports, and nature play. coloradoyo.org