Spring Bounty In Western Colorado — Support Community Supported Agriculture

Western Colorado has vast growing valleys supplied with fresh, mountain water that nurtures hundreds of different varieties of vegetables, fruits, starches, grains and slow flowers. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) memberships vary from farm to farm, and can be found with different delicacies and formats. Which is ripe for your picking?

TWO ROOTS FARM, BASALT

Flower Membership

Founded using regenerative methods in 2016, Two Roots Farm offers vegetables, herbs and flowers to a 200+ member CSA and an onsite farm stand. In the weekly bundle comes eight to ten different vegetables. And, this CSA also offers a flower CSA. Available during peak blooming season (late June through late August), there is an option of an additional weekly flower arrangement. Two Roots Farm also provides produce to Lift Up (Basalt-Rifle grassroots food insecurity organization) and the Pitkin County Senior Center. tworootsfarm.com

PEACH VALLEY, COLORADO RIVER VALLEY

Added Fruit Bonus

Nestled along the Colorado River corridor is the oldest CSA on the Western Slope (and second oldest in Colorado). The community farm began in the early 1990s and today there are 100 memberships annually with 40 weeks of food. Water from the Flat Tops in the White River National Forest provides the life source of the farm, which grows 150 varieties of vegetables, 50 varieties of herbs and flowers, apricots and apples. Spring salad garden season runs March through May, and the summer garden and orchard season runs June through October. peachvalleycsa.com

FIELD TO FORK FARM, PALISADE

Annual Discount

For a $100 annual fee, individuals or families can purchase a farm card. In return, members get 10% off of all produce during the growing season. Field to Fork operates over 20,000 square feet of greenhouses, a large market garden and a four-acre orchard of mixed stone and pomme fruit, pastured poultry and hog production. Farm members and the general public can stop by the outlet to pick up goods in season, May through October. fieldtofork-farm.com

ELA FAMILY FARMS, HOTCHKISS

Traditional CSA

For 14 weeks Ela Family Farms offers produce packed bundles for both Front Range and Western Slope customers. The organic orchards were established in 1907 and today they feature 55 varieties that are cultivated into jams, jellies, fruit butters, sauces and dried fruits. Weekly shares distribute 100 pounds of fruit throughout the growing months. elafamilyfarms.com

HIGHWATER FARM, SILT

Teaching the Next Generation

Located in the Colorado River Valley, Highwater Farm is located on 10 acres of USDA-certified organic farm and garden. There is a three-town weekly pick-up for CSA shares in Silt, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale. The farm also offers vegetable, herb, flower, medicinal, biodynamic and permaculture plants. A bonus — the owners are teaching the next generation. Highwater Farm provides paid positions for young people interested in working on the farm in the summer. Youth Crew Workers grow fresh local produce while learning valuable job and life skills. highwaterfarm.org

ZEPHYROS FARM & GARDEN, PAONIA

Slow Flowers

This is a slow flower-only CSA. A slow flower is a variety that is grown locally and native to the habitat; therefore beneficial to the insects and nature. Zephyros grows hundreds of varieties of flowers including sunflowers, lilies, amaranth, cosmos, snapdragons, bells of Ireland, zinnias, dahlias, delphiniums and more. No wild imports in this zen space or toxic chemicals. The CSA lasts for 18 weeks and there are two sizes to choose from. Pick up either at the farm or in Carbondale. zephyrosfarmandgarden.com

Originally published in the Spring 2024 issue of Spoke+Blossom.