Originally published in the Fall 2019 issue of Spoke+Blossom

We asked these Western Slope locals to weigh in on the topic of abundance.

CHRIS BROWN, Brown Cycles
“We use the law of abundance in my shop. We have bells out front. If you’ve ever walked Main Street, you’ve seen the bells. We used to sell 10 each year when we had them on a hook inside. Then I tore apart my kids’ bunk beds and welded them to a stand and put 200 bells on and stuck them outdoors. We sell like 600 bells a year now. So, if you’re a retailer, and you have thousands of baskets or hand grips or rubber tires, you will become the guy in town who has the baskets, or tires or whatever you’re into. And whenever somebody needs them, they think of you. We try to spread ourselves thin as retailers and try to do a bit of everything, and then we’re not known for anything. If we go deep in something, we’re known for something. It’s called the law of abundance. Have a lot. Be known for being that guy.”

Chris Brown has owned Brown Cycles on Main Street in Grand Junction for 19 years.

DENNIS CLARK, Clark Family Orchards
“Abundance, to me, is to have a bountiful crop of fruit and vegetables. A nice crop means our harvest is productive, profitable and abundant to where we’re able to feed people quality produce and make a living doing it. I would say we had an abundant crop this year. To have a summer with an abundant crop takes a lot of hard work and effort. A lot of satisfaction goes into growing quality produce for the public and knowing that they can enjoy and savor the taste of western Colorado or Palisade produce throughout the winter months in the valley. We look forward to a kind spring so we can continue to have a nice, abundant crop next year. My family’s been here for well over 100 years, since 1897. My grandson is the seventh generation here on the orchard.”

Dennis Clark is the owner of Clark Family Orchards in Palisade, which grows peaches, cherries, apricots and a variety of other local produce.

DAWN TRUJILLO & BRIAN ADAMS, Green Junction Farmstead
“All too often, food producers dwell in a realm of scarcity, focused on the negative. We made a decision to alter our mindset and began using ‘abundance’ as a daily mantra for our market garden and our personal lives. The effects have been nothing short of astounding. We now have a fully-functioning and successful market garden, with all the key components of a greenhouse, wash and pack station, walk-in cooler, irrigation system and two-wheeled tractor. The greatest thing we have received this season are community relationships. The love we receive takes abundance to the core of who we are and fuels our desire to push through all the highs and lows we experience while growing good food for our neighbors and friends. Make ‘abundance’ part of your mindset. Grow on!”

Dawn Trujillo and Brian Adams own Green Junction Farmstead, a community-supported, small-scale farm in Palisade growing organic produce.

Voices of Western Colorado: Abundance