DENVER — The Denver Business Journal has named Jim Ehrlich, executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, to its 2023 Who's Who in Agriculture program.

In a statement to the Valley Courier, Ehrlich said, "I am grateful and humbled to be selected for this honor. It is my privilege to work for the amazing potato growers in the San Luis Valley and in agriculture. I am extremely fortunate because I truly love agriculture. I have been blessed with a lifetime of great relationships and experiences through my work, and I have tried hard to have a positive impact for the potato industry."

At a gala in Denver on March 30, Denver Business Journal's fifth annual Who's Who in Agriculture program honored the Coloradans making an impact in agriculture.

According to the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture, the state has nearly 34,000 farms and ranches, encompassing over 31 million acres that generate $40 billion in economic activity and employs 170,000 people.

The journal named James Pritchett, Ph.D., the dean of Colorado State University's College of Agricultural Sciences (CSU) for its Trailblazer award. CSU teaches the next generation of agricultural professionals and searches for solutions to the industry's most significant challenges. Among those challenges are the global food crisis and climate change.

Pritchett, a land grant economist, is also the director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at CSU, which researches the economics and environmental impacts of farming, land management, and more. He was honored in the DBJ's 2020 Who's Who in Agriculture program and is returning to accept our highest award.

Jo Smeby, a CSU College of Agricultural Sciences student studying equine science and agricultural education, is the Rising Star award winner. Smeby hopes to become a high school or collegiate agriculture teacher.

Listed below, in alphabetical order by last name, are the 2023 Who's Who in Agriculture honorees.

• Dr. Maggie Baldwin, state veterinarian and director of the Animal Health Division, Colorado Department of Agriculture
• Jordan Beezley, deputy commissioner of external affairs, Colorado Department of Agriculture
• Jim Bradeen, associate vice president for Spur strategy, Colorado State University Spur
• Robyn Carlson, owner, Cowgirl Publications
• Jim Chambers, SVP and general manager of the agriculture division, Trimble
• Dr. Hayley Chouinard, department head of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University College of Agricultural Sciences
• Joel Currier, partner, Currier Ranch
• Katy Dickey, SVP and relationship manager, First Southwest Bank
• Jim Ehrlich, executive director, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee
• Chris and Mark Frasier, owners and operators, Frasier Ranch
• Rod Hahn, owner, Rod Hahn Farms
• Josh Hasart, owner, Colorado Soy
• Erin Karney, EVP, Colorado Cattlemen's Association
• Paul Klees, general manager, C Lazy U Ranch
• Julie Lerner, CEO and founder, PanXchange
• Brian J. McFarlane, head of food safety and quality assurance, JBS Foods USA