Bob Schork

Bob was the Manager of the Colorado Dry Bean Committee for over 25 years and is now our Administrator.

Although he enjoyed his career as a computer programmer, he finds that beans have at least one major advantage over computers: they are delicious! Especially Colorado beans, of course.

Troy Seaworth

Troy is the is the President of the Colorado Dry Bean Committee and also the President of Seaworth Ag Enterprises and Wildcat Farms. He is third generation on a farm near Wellington where they currently grow dry beans, corn, sugar beets, hay, and wheat.

“My favorite dry beans to eat are pinto and Mayocoba. One favorite dish with beans would be pork and bean soup, as well as pinto bean pie that tastes similar to pecan. What I like most about Colorado beans is the quality of bean our area produces.” – Troy

Joe Newton

Joe is a Grower Director based in Eastern Colorado and the owner of JT Farms. JT Farms is a multigenerational, family-owned farm dedicated to raising dry beans, corn, and livestock. With a deep-rooted passion for agriculture, the farm emphasizes diversity in its operations and a love for growing crops and cattle. Built on tradition and hard work, JT Farms thrives as a family-focused operation committed to sustainable farming and nurturing the land for future generations.

Joe’s favorite bean dish is zesty kidney bean soup, made with light red kidney beans.

Jeff Wacker

Jeff is a Grower Director. He farms in Yuma County with his dad and brother. “We raise quite a few classes of edible beans. Mayocoba, pintos, black beans, great northerns and black eyed peas. The thing I like most about raising beans is that it’s a product you can actually see on grocery store shelves and you know it’s helping feed families,” shares Jeff.

Jeff’s favorite bean dish is black bean salsa.

JD Burch

JD is a Grower Director. Details coming soon!

Jay Ewald

Jay is a Dealer Director and the Secretary/Treasurer for the Committee. Jay is CEO of Northern Feed and Bean in Lucerne. He is a passionate international entrepreneur involved at various levels of the agricultural value chain, who has built businesses for the past 40 years, as Founder, CEO, Board Member, or Advisor.

“My favorite Colorado bean is the pinto bean and I love bean and cheese burritos.” – Jay

Samuel Peck

Samuel is a Dealer Director. Since 2017, he has been the International Trade Specialist for Jack’s Bean Company in Holyoke.   

Samuel has been in the international bean industry for over 40 years and was instrumental in introducing the first chickpeas to the PNW growers in the mid 80’s, which have now spread out to many other areas of the US. His focus is on exporting US dried beans around the world, but also trading beans from third country to third country. He has lived in Dubai and Peru and traveled extensively in the growing areas of China, Ethiopia, and much of South America.

When asked about his favorite Colorado bean, he says, “I enjoy working with light red kidneys the most of any of the dried bean varieties.”  

Don Pope

Don is an Alternate Dealer Director. He is the the Field Representative for Farmer Bean & Seed in Sterling.

Don grew up on a farm and ranch near Boone, Colorado and has a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy and Business. He is a family man, and says he married his best friend. They are both foodies who enjoy traveling together and trying new and different cuisines, and they have two kids. Don also enjoys the outdoors, gardening, hiking, fishing, and hunting with friends and family.

Don likes to incorporate yellow beans (aka Mayocoba beans) and/or black-eyed peas in Mediterranean style soups.

Sheldon Bancroft

Sheldon is an Alternate Dealer Director. He is the Analytics and Commodity Risk Manager at Trinidad Benham.

Sheldon shares, “For over a decade, I’ve been a proud ‘bean counter,’ crunching numbers on acreage, production, yields, sales, forecasts — both the historical and the hopeful. It’s incredible to think about how many people our industry feeds with one of the most nutrient-dense, sustainable foods on the planet. I’m proud to play a part in it. So, do yourself a favor: eat more beans!”

Sheldon regularly enjoys beans and says, “My favorite bean dish has to be a simple sausage and beans white bean stew — like a chili, it’s hearty, flavorful, and a perfect balance of comfort and simplicity.”

Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association

They provide critical resources for Colorado fresh fruit and vegetable farmers. Did you know that beans are considered a member of two food groups according to MyPlate? Protein foods and vegetables!

Rocky Mountain Bean Dealers Association

This association works with beans throughout the Rocky Mountain region, including Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado (of course), and other states. Check out their website here.

United States Dry Bean Council

The US Dry Bean Council promotes beans through facilitating bean exports and national marketing campaigns. Explore their website for resources, events, updates about bean harvests, and more.