The following list of local food initiatives highlights the groups and individuals in our area that are working in various ways to help rebuild a healthy local food system.
Please send corrections, additions, and suggestions for new listings to Julie Hudak.
CSU Extension: Montezuma County Pricing Guide for Local Food Producers
Food, Agriculture, and Farm to School Committee of SASCO
Ft. Lewis College Environmental Center
The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado
Growing Partners of SW Colorado
Healthy Lifestyle La Plata: Healthy Local Foods Working Group
La Boca Center for Sustainability
Organic Lands Stewardship of La Plata County
Profiles of La Plata County School Gardens
Shared Harvest Community Garden
Southwest Marketing Network (SWMN): SW Colorado Project
Beef Producers Cooperative
Wayne Guisinger
Cortez, CO
(970) 565-4311
Wayne Guisinger is interested in organizing a cooperative of producers that raise all-natural, grain-fed, hormone and antibiotic free beef. He is working to organize a beef producers’ coop to serve as a hub to help sell and distribute all-natural beef to area restaurants and grocery stores. Guisinger is seeking producers to join the cooperative. If interested in joining, please call Wayne Guisinger at (970) 565-4311.
(Updated by Julie Hudak on 1/24/08)
CSU Extension: Montezuma County Pricing Guide for Local Food Producers
Tom Hooten
(970) 565-3123
The Colorado State University Extension Office in Montezuma County is assembling a pricing guide for local food producers. This guide will serve as a starting point for producers who want to sell their products but do not know how to price them. If you would like to contribute anonymous information to this guide, please call Tom Hooten, CSU Extension, (970) 565-3123.
(Updated by Tom Hooten on 1/10/08 )
Durango Natural Foods Co-op
Minna Jain, Community Outreach Coordinator
(970) 247-8129
www.durangonaturalfoods.coop
Durango Natural Foods has been serving Durango and the surrounding area since 1974 when a group of grassroots visionaries chose to establish a local outlet for low cost, quality food. We believe in healthy people, wholesome products, a thriving environment and a strong local economy. Twenty percent of the produce we sell in season is purchased from local growers, while seven to ten percent of products throughout the store -including sauces, granola, coffee, eggs and more- are locally and regionally produced. Look for our “Local” tags next to these items throughout the store.
(Updated by Minna Jain on 1/18/08)
Durango Slow Food Convivium
Andrea Parmenter
(970) 247-9783
awp9@q.com
Slow Food USA's mission is to give new life to the cultural, social and economic benefits of a sustainable food system, regional food traditions, the pleasures of the table, and a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life. The local chapter is working towards defending biodiversity in our food supply, spreading taste education and connecting producers of excellent foods with co-producers through events and initiatives.
(Updated by Darrin Parmenter on 1/14/08)
Food, Agriculture, and Farm to School Committee of SASCO
Jim Dyer, Coordinator
Southwest Colorado
(970) 588-2292
jadyer@frontier.net
www.sustainableswcolorado.org
This committee the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado was formed to address policy issues affecting local agricultural production and marketing in our area, and has adopted Farm to School as its primary project. All details of the group’s activities are on the Sustainability Alliance website
(Updated by Jim Dyer on 1/29/2008)
Food for Thought Program
Tina Evans, Chair Environmental Studies
Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO
(970) 247-7684
evans_t@fortlewis.edu
Food for Thought is a local fruit tree planting and harvesting program of the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center. The program assists the students and faculty of Fort Lewis College and the residents of the Durango/La Plata County region in meeting the serious challenges of climate change and global peak oil production through contributing to a stronger and more sustainable local food system. This program serves as a springboard for both public education events and ongoing community efforts addressing sustainable food production.
(Updated by Tina Evans on 1/3/08)
Ft. Lewis College Environmental Center: Local Foods Task Force & Local Food Team
Marcus Renner
Durango, CO
(970) 247-7676
www.fortlewis.edu/community_culture/envcenter_projects/local_food.asp
The FLC Environmental Center’s local food team maintains an organic demonstration garden and greenhouse and provides education on community food security to the campus and community. The FLC Local Foods Task Force provides a forum for students, faculty, and community members to talk about how the College can support local food. Students also continue to work with Sodexho to get more local food on campus.
(Updated by Marcus Renner on 1/3/08)
The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado
Shari Fitzgerald
Durango, CO
(970) 259-3123
thegardenprojectsw@yahoo.com
The Garden Project is dedicated to building a healthier community through the promotion of a sustainable local food system and the facilitation of year-round garden and educational programs. They focus their goals around education, horticultural therapy, and food security. The Garden Project is currently facilitating gardening programs at the Manna Soup Kitchen Garden, the Ft. Lewis Mesa Elementary school, and is working to help begin new school and community gardens in Durango. If interested in collaborating or volunteering, please call Shari Fitzgerald.
(Updated by Julie Hudak on 9/9/08)
Growing Partners of SW Colorado
Shari Fitzgerald
(970) 259-3123
thegardenprojectsw@yahoo.com
This coalition was formed under a USDA Community Food Projects grant to develop the Community Food Assessment of La Plata County, and is currently enlarging and looking at future grants. To view the Community Food Assessment of La Plata County, please visit: La Plata County Food Assessment
Member Organizations of the Growing Partners of SW Colorado:
- The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado (See above for details)
- The Southern Ute Community Action Program (SUCAP)
- La Boca Center for Sustainability (See below for details)
- Turtle Lake Refuge (See below for details)
- The Southwest Marketing Network (See below for details)
(Growing Partners update by Jim Dyer on 1/29/08)
Healthy Lifestyle La Plata: Healthy Local Foods Working Group
Julie Hudak
juliehudak@gmail.com
www.healthylifestylelaplata.org
The Healthy Local Foods Working Group is a subcommittee of Healthy Lifestyles La Plata that is dedicated to working with consumers, buyers, restaurants, grocers and farmers on a consumer education campaign to support healthy, local food choices. The Healthy Local Foods Working Group is involved in such consumer education tactics as Farm to School, Tour de Farms (a bike tour of local urban agriculture projects), Farmers’ Market taste testing of local foods, and a Farmer-Chef Connection event.
(Updated by Julie Hudak on 1/15/08)
Heart and Soil Film
Mara LeGrand
La Plata County
www.heartandsoilfilm.com
Regional farmers gave me food for thought and film fodder for "Heart & Soil," but most importantly they offered their authentic selves. I highlighted the unsung, sometimes quirky but always intelligent and informed heroes, the poets of planting and harvest, husbandry and wool, crafting the earth to yield sustainable nourishment for their family and community. The film is inspiring people across the globe to visit farmer's markets, grow their own food and understand even if local food may cost a bit more, it's worth it not just for taste, but for our long term ability to thrive on the planet.
(Updated by Mara LeGrand on 1/4/08)
La Boca Center for Sustainability
Chester Anderson
La Boca, CO
970-764-7581
laboca@hughes.net
www.laboca.us
LBCS is currently a working farm utilizing integrated farming and agroecological principles. The farm is the site of an intern program where students experience a number of facets of farming: fiber production with alpacas, llamas, Cotswold sheep and angora goats, grain production, horse farming, vegetable production, orchard management, goat dairy operation, chicken farming, holistic pasture management using mixed herds of cattle, sheep, llamas and flocks of chickens.
(Updated by Chester Anderson on 1/31/08)
Local First
Marcus Renner
Durango, CO
(970) 247-7091
www.local-first.org/
Local First is a project of the Sustainable Local Economic Development (SLED) Committee of the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado, pursued in partnership with the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center and other local businesses, non-profit organizations, and community groups operating in La Plata County, Colorado. Local First is currently producing the Be Local Coupon Book, a marketing opportunity for independent businesses that is sure to become a badge of loyalty to county and community.
(Updated by Julie Hudak on 9/9/08)
Manna Soup Kitchen Garden
Shari Fitzgerald, The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado
Durango, CO
(970) 259-3123
The goal of the Manna Soup Kitchen Garden is quite simple; we aim to increase local food security in our community by growing healthy food to supplement the meals served at the Manna Soup Kitchen. In cooperation with the Manna Soup Kitchen, The Garden Project coordinates the growing efforts at the Manna Garden. If interested in volunteering in the garden, please contact Shari Fitzgerald of The Garden Project.
(Updated by Julie Hudak on 8/25/08)
Montelores Buy Local group
Matt Keefauver
Dolores and Montezuma Counties
(970) 739-5612
The Montelores Buy Local group is a volunteer group of local food activists whose mission is to promote local farmer's markets and the purchase of goods through small, independent local producers. The hope of this group is publicize the many benefits of purchasing locally produced products such as fruits and vegetables, honey, herbs, meats and other locally produced products. The group meets informally in the months prior to the farmer's market season. If you are interested in supporting the cause, please call Matt Keefauver at 970-739-5612.
(Updated by Matt Keefauver on 1/23/08)
New Community Coalition
Kris Holstrom, Sustainability Coordinator
Telluride, CO
(970) 728-1340
www.newcommunitycoalition.com/
The Sustainability Coordinator of the New Community Coalition came about through an intergovernmental agreement to jointly fund a position that would identify, coordinate and implement projects and ideas that promote regional sustainability. With dedicated funding from the governments and the Telluride Foundation, a non-profit entity, the New Community Coalition, is being formed to oversee the position and projects.
The New Community Coalition has established five Working Groups which include; Energy: Efficiency and Local Renewable Sources; Resource Recovery/Recycling; Food Security; Green Building, and; Economy. Each group meets to discuss general ideas and specific ways to implement the identified goals.
(Updated by Kris Holstrom in November 2007)
Oakhaven Permaculture Center
Tom Riesing
La Plata Canyon, CO
http://oakhavenpc.org/
Organic Lands Stewardship of La Plata County
Katrina Blair
Turtle Lake Refuge
(970) 247-8395
www.turtlelakerefuge.org/
The Organic Lands Stewardship of La Plata County (OLS) is a local group of individuals and businesses collectively visualizing and implementing an "Organic Zone" in La Plata County. It is the goal of OLS to assist La Plata County in carrying out organic land practices. This means discontinuing the use of insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides on public parks, schools, and surrounding county lands. It is one of the primary goals of OLS to support the pollinator insects’ health and vitality in order for regional food to continue to be grown in La Plata County.
(Updated by Katrina Blair on 1/11/08)
Profiles of La Plata County School Gardens
Shari Fitzgerald
The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado
(970) 259-3123
For the most up to date information about school gardens, please visit the Sustainability Alliance of Southwest Colorado website.
The profiles of school gardens are a part of the La Plata County Community Food Assessment and can be found in chapter 5 on p. 5.29. To become involved in school gardens, please contact The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado.
(Updated by Julie Hudak on 8/25/08)
Shared Harvest Community Garden
Bob Kauer
(970) 247-7850
bobkauer@durango.net
Marye Jackson
Garden Coordinator
Durango, CO
(970) 385-7271
maryej@mydurango.net
Our organically managed 1-acre vegetable garden grew its first crops in 2002. Since then 60 plus members have formed teams, shared expenses, work and harvest. The garden is located NE of Durango on County Road 234 near the Florida river. Call for more information on getting involved.
Southwest Marketing Network (SWMN): SW Colorado Project
Jim Dyer, Project Director
(970) 588-2292
jadyer@frontier.net
www.swmarketingnetwork.org
The SWMN has established its Southwest Colorado Project as a demonstration project to help ground its work throughout the Four Corners states. We have been assisting local food efforts for several years including farmers markets, alternative marketing education, the Mesa Verde Guide, SW CO Farm to School, and other efforts.
The SWMN’s goal is to ensure that new, existing, and prospective Southwest producers - especially small-scale, alternative, and minority producers - have the connections with others, technical and financial assistance, marketing information, business and marketing skills, and peer examples to improve their marketing success, viability, and bottom line.
(Updated by Jim Dyer on 1/29/2008)
Turtle Lake Refuge & Healthy Planet/ Healthy Bodies Lecture Dinner Series
Katrina Blair
Durango, CO
(970) 247-8395
www.turtlelakerefuge.org
Turtle Lake Refuge is a non-profit whose mission is to celebrate the connection between personal health and wild lands. This goal is manifested by growing local produce for grocery stores, restaurants and public schools. Educational programs are offered such as growing greens year round, utilizing wild foods of the area and living food preparation. TLR serves lunch 2x/ week (Tuesdays and Fridays) using locally grown, wild and living foods. Wednesday nights from 6-8:30, TLR hosts a dinner-lecture series called "Healthy Planet/ Healthy Bodies." Guest speakers from the community lecture on the subject of health and sustainability. For information, contact TLR.
(Updated by Katrina Blair and Julie Hudak on 2/7/08)
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Garden
Don Gordon
Durango, CO
gordon_d@fortlewis.edu
The Durango Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship started a community garden in the spring of 2007. Our purpose is to teach UUF children how to prepare soil, plant seeds, care for a garden, and enjoy the harvest (Fall potluck!). Since the site had never been used as a garden site it was an experiment about the productivity of virgin clay soil; we had reasonable success. Our biggest problem was wildlife enjoying the fruits of our labor; so, this year we will have a 12 foot tall fence to limit deer grazing and bear rummaging (birds are welcome).