Bounty | SPRING 2020

Growing Season 2020

LOCAL FOOD AND FARM GUIDE

HOBBY FARMS: HOMESTEADING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

INSIDE:

YOUR GUIDE TO FARM STANDS AND FARMERS’ MARKETS

All Natural makes all the difference.

WE OFFER

Everything you eat starts with how it is raised and how it gets to you. Know what you and your family are eating.

• Black Angus cattle selected for high marbling genetics, locally farm-raised in large pastures in a low stress environment • NEVER EVER given antibiotics, hormones, or steroids or fed animal by-products • Available by quarter, half, or whole, cut and packaged just the way you want it • Dry-aged 21 days for tender, moist, consistently great flavor.

www.blueskyfarmcolorado.com (970) 222-7147 • Rbluesky8@msn.com • Windsor, CO Please request a cutting instruction sheet to place your order.

LET US SHARE WHOLESOME, NUTRITIOUS, AND SAFE NATURAL BEEF WITH A TASTE YOU CAN TRUST.

2|

GROWING SEASON 2020

WE ARE MOBILE

To Advertise, contact: Greg at 970-689-6832

1

greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com

2

Susan at 970-301-3320

susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com

Reach all of northern Colorado via print and digital marketing with Rocky Mountain Publishing.

Read all of our publications on your mobile device.

SPRING 2017

HARVEST SEASON 2018

SERVING NORTHERN COLORADO • FIFTYBETTER.COM

RiDE

BIKE-FRIENDLY BUZZ COOL GEAR AND GADGETS BICYCLING MAYOR IN NOCO?

2018 GUIDE TO NORTHERN COLORADO BICYCLING CULTURE & EVENTS

Local Food and Farm Guide

Pots and plots— YOUR GUIDE TO

FARMERS MARKETS AND FARM STANDS

Healthful food SERVED AT SCHOOLS

Shop

PREPARING YOUR GARDEN

Mindfulness and your health

L-O-C-A-L

PIT STOPS

Finding your passions

FIELD TRIPS

Destinations and wayside breaks

BY BIKE

Sample a local craft

beer

MEET A FARMER

AT A FARM STAND

PLUS

THE 2018

CONNECTING h CROPS TO CUISINE Restaurants sourcing local food

BIKE

CALENDAR

FIND IT IN

INSIDE: LIFESTYLE, ACTIVE [AND HEALTH DIRECTORIES]

BIG

BIKE DIRECTORY THE

GUIDE TO NORTHERN COLORADO BICYCLING CULTURE AND EVENTS

RiDE | 1

GROWING SEASON 2020

|3

HOBBY FARMS: HOMESTEADING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

KATIE HARRIS

A

s land becomes increasingly scarce, it’s difficult for families to find and afford acreage to call their own. As a result, small acreage farms, known as hobby farms, have been popping up around northern Colorado and across the country. Ideal for families wanting to try their hands at working the land or raising livestock for the first time, hobby farms are the homesteads of the 21st Century.

Aside from being smaller, hobby farms differ from traditional farms in several ways. For starters, they’re typically not intended to be a family’s primary source of income. Hobby farmers are usually employed outside of the farm, but may use the products grown on the farm to supplement that income, by selling them to friends and neighbors or at a local farmer’s market.

4|

GROWING SEASON 2020

Small acreages offer opportunities for working the land and raising livestock

Unlike large-scale farms, hobby farms aren’t meant to generate enough food to feed the masses, but even an acre or two can feed a family if utilized to its full potential. Many hobby farmers grow enough fruits and vegetables to feed their families all year on just 1/4 acre or less. The key is to choose crops with high yields and good preservability that grow well in our climate, and to put the time into properly caring for them throughout the growing season and at harvest time.

In addition to or in lieu of growing produce, some hobby farmers house livestock on their property. These animals may provide food products such as eggs and milk or be used for meat.

Chickens are perhaps the most common animals found on hobby farms, and for good reason. Easy to

keep and care for, and requiring a relatively small amount of space, chickens will lay eggs year round under the proper conditions. Considered a super food, eggs are an excellent source of protein and contain all nine essential amino acids.

Turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl and peacocks are also popular choices for hobby farmers interested in housing fowl on their property. Many farmers cull their birds and use them for meat periodically, while others allow them to live out their lives on the farm.

Another common hobby farm resident is the goat. In addition to being excellent lawn mowers, goats’ unrestrictive diet make them inexpensive to feed, and some hobby farmers make cheese and soap from the animals’ milk, fiber from their coats, or raise them for

F riendly Farm Help The Colorado State University Extension Office offers a wealth of resources for hobby farmers.

• For a guide to owning rural property in Colorado visit extension. colostate.edu/docs/pubs/natres/xcm235.pdf.

• For gardening tips, visit extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yardgarden/?target=publications or call 970-491-6281.

• For information on food preservation visit farmtotable.colostate. edu or call 970-491-7180.

• For information on raising backyard livestock visit extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/agriculture/?targetpublications#livestock.

meat. Goats are trainable, lively animals and can often be housed with other species.

Larger livestock such as cows, pigs and alpacas can be housed on hobby farms as well, but require work and know-how to do so properly.

Plans for housing, fencing, manure management, and feed should be set in place before considering taking on larger animals.

Beekeeping, which has been trending in recent years, is a great option for hobby farmers. As the honeybee population declines, bee keeping not only benefits the hobby farmers themselves but the future of the environment and agriculture as well. Honey and honey products tend to be hot sellers at roadside self-serve stands.

While for many hobby farmers, the goal is to produce something off the land; there are those who use it purely for recreational purposes. This could include housing horses for riding or growing flowers on a large garden plot.

Activities such as these, which allow landowners the opportunity to enjoy the land without expecting to turn a profit, gave this type of farming its name.

Whether you dream of being able to feed your family off your own land all year long, hope to sell homemade products at a local farmer’s market, or just like the idea of having space to pursue your outdoor hobby, a hobby farm is a wonderful way to connect with and care for the land underneath your feet.

GROWING SEASON 2020

|5

2020 NoCo Farmers Markets Because of Covid-19 dates might change, please check websites for updates.

Berthoud Local Farmers Market Fickel Park in downtown Berthoud Saturdays, 9am–1pm, June 20–Sept. 26 http://berthoudlocal.org Drake Road Farmers Market 802 W. Drake Rd., Fort Collins (weather permitting) Saturdays, 10am–1pm, April 18–Sept. 26 www.drakeroadfarmersmarket.com Erie Farmers Market Briggs Street between Wells and Moffatt, Erie Thursdays, 5–8pm, May 21–Sept. 10 www.realfarmersmarketco.com Estes Valley Farmers Market Bond Park on E. Elkhorn Ave. Thursdays, 8am–1pm, June–Sept. www.facebook.com/EstesValleyFarmersMarket

Farmers Market at Fairgrounds Park 700 S. Railroad Ave., Loveland Sundays, 9am–1pm, June 7–Sept. 27 www.cityofloveland.org/farmersmarket

Larimer County Farmers Market 200 S. Oak St., Fort Collins Saturdays, 9am–1pm, May 23–Oct. 31 www.larimercountyfarmersmarket.org

Fort Collins Farmers Market 1001 E. Harmony Rd. in front of Ace Hardware (rain or shine) Sundays, 10am–2pm, May–mid-Nov. Wednesdays, 10am–2pm, mid-June–Sept. www.fortcollinsfm.com

Loveland East Farmer’s Market at Jax 950 E Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland Tuesdays, 9am–1pm, June 2–mid-Oct. www.larimercountyfarmersmarket.org

Greeley Farmers’ Market The Depot, 902 7th Ave. Saturdays, 8am–Noon, May 16–Oct. 31 www.greeleygov.com/fm Johnstown Milliken Farmers Market Charlotte St. and Parish Ave., Johnstown Fridays, 4–8pm, June–Oct. www.johnstownmillikenchamber.com

FARM STANDS

Green Dog Farm Fort Collins www.greendogfarmcsa.com

Bartels Farm 3424 E. Douglas Rd., Fort Collins www.thebartelsfarm.com

Happy Heart Farm 2820 W. Elizabeth St., Fort Collins www.happyheartfarmcsa.com

Desiderata Ranch 4617 CR 2, Berthoud http://desiderataranch.org/

Hazel Dell Mushrooms 3925 E. CR 32 (Carpenter Rd.) Fort Collins www.hazeldellmushrooms.com Heritage Lavender 4809 Foothills Dr., Berthoud www.heritagelavender.com Hoffman Farms, LLC 3545 W. 0 St., Greeley www.hoffmanproduce.com

6|

GROWING SEASON 2020

Windsor Farmers Market Boardwalk Park, 110 5th St., Windsor Saturdays, 9am–1pm, June 20–Sept. 12 www.windsorgov.com/FarmersMarket

Something about being on a farm just feels good. The pace feels relaxed and your interactions, maybe, more genuine. So swing by a farm stand soon and pick up some deliciousness while you’re at it.

Anders Farm 8443 US Hwy. 8, Fort Lupton www.facebook.com/RAndersFarm/

Garden Sweet 719 W. Willox Ln., Fort Collins www.gardensweet.com

Timnath Sunday Market 138 Main St., Timnath First Sundays, 10am–3pm, May–Oct www.coloradofeedandgrain.com/sundaymarket

Jessup Farm Artisan Village Pop-Up Farm Stand 1957 Jessup Dr., Fort Collins www.jessupfarm.com Jodar Farms 5100 E. CR 48, Fort Collins www.jodarfarms.com Long Shadow Farm 101 Bothun Rd., Berthoud www.longshadowfarm.wixsite. com/longshadow Native Hill Farm 2100 W. CR 54G, Fort Collins www.nativehillfarm.com Ollin Farms 8627 N. 95th St., Longmont www.ollinfarms.com

On the Vine at Richmond Farms 3611 Richmond Dr., Fort Collins www.onthevineatrichmondfarms.com Papa Joe’s Honey 4855 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland www.facebook.com/ PapaJoesLocalHoney Sunny Daze 901 S. CR 5, Fort Collins www.sunnydazegardens.com Tigges Farm 12404 CR 64½, Greeley www.tiggesfarm.com

HOMES/JOBS NEEDED FOR

Working Cats • Shop Cats • Warehouse Cats • Barn Cats • OUTBUILDING Cats • Brewery Cats

SavingAnimalsToday.org /workingcats

TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return) Do you have a feral cat colony on your property?

Let us help! Contact our Community Cat Program at: (970) 233-5133.

RiDE on 2020 Ride is now out!

Visit your local bike shop to pick up your FREE copy.

ride-magazine.com

To advertise in RiDE, call Greg or Scott.

Support business that supports bicycling.

In Fort Collins call Greg Hoffman 970-689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com

All others call Scott Titterington 970-980-9183 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com

GROWING SEASON 2020

|7

8|

GROWING SEASON 2020