Fireside Legacy Farmer Storytelling Series
Winter stirs a quiet inspiration that is kindled by the fireside through stories of what has been and all that can be. As the butterfly garden slumbers, the Colorado Farm and Food Alliance team dreamed up a fire pit for winter gatherings and a warm, cozy space to share stories of our agricultural roots and envision what we can grow. With the help of the Arbol Farm crew, we have installed a southwest-inspired sunken firepit where community members can gather to share stories and inspiration.
Sunken Fire Pit Building Progress
We are welcoming the community into this space with a storytelling series featuring farmers in the Valley to share their own stories on various topics. The series runs from February 22- March 22 and features four local farmers who are innovating in their practices and building legacy farm operations.
February 22 will open the series with Jason Wrich on building soil and a family ranch legacy. Come listen to his story and share your tales of ranching in innovative and creative ways. On March 13, Stephanie Matlock will lend her perspective on women-run family farms. Doug Beall will follow this on March 15. Doug owns Rancho Largo in Crawford and will share his perspective on ranch restoration and wetland habitat enhancement efforts. The series will close out on March 22 with valley animal whisperer Carter Keegan’s stories of raising goats, chickens, and muscovy ducks.
Our farming community is more resilient together now than ever! Although the winter months are quieter, we celebrate a time to gather, share wisdom and lessons, and inspire one another. We hope you will join us and feel inspired to share your story, too!
Backgrounds of our Storytellers and Legacy Farmers
Jason Wrich of Wrich Ranches has creatively crafted leases to rotationally graze his cattle and build soil for the landowners. He is a hard-working, dedicated rancher determined to build a legacy farm that knows no boundaries. His story is called Ranching for Family, Community & the Future, on February 22
Stephanie Matlock has deep roots in western Colorado and owns and runs Cobblestone Farm, which she took over from her father. The farm specializes in garlic, shallots, leeks, vegetables, fruit, and hay. On March 13, she will share her experience running a diverse operation with her family and being a woman farmer.
Doug Beall, owner-operator of Rancho Largo, has long been experimenting with low-tech restoration efforts at his ranch. We joined him for a workshop last year to build a system that encourages the return of the beaver and subsequent river improvements. You can learn more about that project here and at his Mycelium Love and a Beaver Tale or Two storytelling session on March 15.
On March 22, Carter Keegan will close out the series with his recollection of raising muscovy ducks, Muscovy Duck Musings. As a farmer at Sunshine Mesa Farm and Western Culture Farmstead, Carter spends much of his time in relationship with animals. He is passionate about mindfulness as a practice in his animal husbandry pursuits.
Carter Keegan
We look forward to welcoming you and this series to our Regenerative Gardens and Classroom at Arbol Farm. Find all the details here or email Elizabeth@colofarmfood.org with questions or for more information.
