We’re gearing up for the final days of August with two exciting farm tours as part of our Alliance’s Growing Our Community¬†farm tour series! First, it’s off to Mesa County to visit¬†GroFresh 365.
Rick Kenagy has been growing food for his community for over ten years. His operation uses a growing method called aquaponics, where fish and crops are grown in a mutually beneficial system. The fish provide the nutrients needed for GroFresh’s delicious salad mix, and the lettuces filter the water for return to the fish tanks. Rick also works on multiple committees and other groups to build community around food and design systems that function on a backyard and institutional scale.
Join us at GroFresh 365 on August 23 at 9 am to see this innovative growing style in action, with a locally sourced community lunch after!
Next, we’ll travel eastward to Harding Homegrown in Palisade on August 27.
This regenerative farm grows a wide variety of vegetables and fruits with minimal off-farm inputs. They prioritize creating their own fertilizers from the leaf litter and produce waste that is grown on the property. They also raise free-range chickens and heritage hogs for eggs and meat. The history, connection, and community of local food can be felt in the care and mindfulness of these farmers.
Join us at Harding Homegrown on August 27 at 9 am for a tour and an opportunity to learn about regenerative crop production on the Western Slope!