The founders of this great partnership saw clearly the merits of a networked system to address national, regional, state and local needs. It engages a responsive network of scientists and educators who can anticipate and address critical needs and problems through a focus on areas where there is a research base and where they can make significant contributions. Golden Plains Area agriculture and agronomy agent, uses partnerships to bring experts on many agricultural topics to farmers and ranchers on the plains of Colorado. Because of the collaborative knowledge shared in multi-party research, these partnerships are invaluable to Meyer, but more so to the public he helps. We often need a team of professionals involved in research and education to accomplish our goals.
Many projects are too big for just one agency to tackle.
As a group, we can do the job better than one agency acting alone. When an October blizzard devastated ranchers throughout Colorado, Meyer and representatives from other agencies partnering on a disaster committee provided assistance to ranchers. The team assessed losses and requested federal disaster funds. Luckily, Golden Plains Area counties weren't hit as hard as southern Colorado counties. Meyer's collaborations in the last several years include projects with the United States Department of Agriculture, area soil conservation districts, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, other Colorado State Cooperative Extension offices, agri-businesses, and private ranchers and farmers.