How to Use This Directory

The Listings: Listed in this guide are some of our more enterprising and innovative local producers and the products they are proud to be direct marketing in our area. The focus is on SW Colorado, so we have chosen a trading area, for practical reasons, about 90 miles around Mesa Verde National Park. Producers were asked for a statement describing how their products are unique, and how they are sustainably produced. We hope that these statements will encourage you to get to know these local producers and support them with your purchases.

Organics: If you are looking for products that have been verified as having been produced according to USDA or other organic rules, look for the words “certified organic” as this is the sure way to recognize those producers who have gone to the effort and expense to be certified in this manner.

Product Claims: We have provided these listings for informational purposes only, and they are in no way a guarantee of availability nor of the accuracy of claims made. Entries are updated periodically but not immediately, so please contact the provider for the most current and detailed information. Additional producers are welcome — please create an account on this website or contact Jim Dyer at 970-588-2292.

What is Sustainable Agriculture? The USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program explains sustainable agriculture as one which:

• enhances environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends;
• makes the most efficient use of nonrenewable and on-farm resources and where appropriate, integrates natural biological cycles and controls;
• sustains the economic viability of farm operations; and
• enhances the quality of life for farmers/ranchers and society as a whole.

Not only do we need to consider these broader impacts, but we need to do so in ways that preserve the ability of our children and their children to provide for their needs.

It’s more of a pursuit than a destination. It will take all of our efforts to find the ways to provide food and fiber in ways that are economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially just — now and into the future. That is why we have asked the producers listed in this directory to explain how they are pursuing sustainability on their farms and ranches, so — as producers, consumers, and citizens — we can learn from, and support, one other.