Speed Weeding: Bindweed and Buddies

The butterfly is emerging at Mariposa Ascendente, Colorado Farm and Food Alliance’s new regenerative agriculture demonstration garden and classroom. Designed by Elizabeth Agee, the walking garden features many aspects of regenerative agriculture that can be incorporated into a farm or garden that wishes to become more drought resilient, less fertilizer dependent, pollinator friendly and water wise.

Some of the principles demonstrated in the garden include swales, pollinator gardens, cover crops, low water vegetable production, companion planting, orchards and plant guilds. Community members can enjoy the garden through hands-on workshops like Swale-building, and Cover Crops in the Market Garden, as well as Fall agriculture themed movie nights and other ways to connect with regeneration in our farming and gardening communities. 

At the gardens, to keep the diverse pollinator plantings and food crops thriving, we have been hosting monthly Speed-Weeding and Pizza parties. Participants are partnered in different gardens and encouraged to mingle and get to know one another. It’s a win-win; participants meet new friends and help keep up the garden spaces while learning about regenerative agriculture in practice. 

Afterwards, we all gather for wood fire baked pizza with local toppings. We see this space as its own force emerging, and together with our neighbors and partners, we see it rising like a butterfly to boost our shared learning about how to be better stewards of our garden spaces, farmlands, natural places and communities. 

Our last Speed Weeding Pizza Party is Wednesday, August 14. Come experience the garden, meet others in your community, and get inspired for your own farm and garden projects. We are also seeking organizations and individuals who are interested in partnering to grow food for the elderly community or other possible collaborations in 2025. 

Please email Elizabeth@colofarmfood.org with any questions or ideas for other types of activities you would like to see at the garden.