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Mesa Verde Guide to Local Food Initiatives

It is the intention of this list to highlight the groups and individuals in our area that are working in various ways to help rebuild a healthy local food system. Updates are the responsibility of the lister, so check the date of latest update at the end of each listing. Please send updates and suggestions for new listings to Jim Dyer

See listings below for:

Beef Producers Cooperative
CSU Extension, La Plata County
CSU Extension: Montezuma County Pricing Guide for Local Food Producers
Durango Natural Foods Co-op
Durango Slow Food Convivium
Food for Thought Program
Ft. Lewis College Environmental Center
The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado
Growing Partners of SW Colorado
Healthy Community Food Systems
Healthy Lifestyle La Plata: Healthy Local Foods Working Group
Heart and Soil Film
Local First
Manna Soup Kitchen Garden
Montelores Buy Local group
New Community Coalition
Organic Lands Stewardship of La Plata County
Profiles of La Plata County School Gardens
Shared Harvest Community Garden
Southwest Marketing Network (SWMN): SW Colorado Project
Turtle Lake Refuge
Unitarian Universalist Garden


Beef Producers Cooperative
Wayne Guisinger
Cortez, CO
(970) 565-4311

Wayne Guisinger is interested in organizing a cooperative of producers that raise all-natural, grain-fed, hormone and antibiotic free beef. He is working to organize a beef producers’ coop to serve as a hub to help sell and distribute all-natural beef to area restaurants and grocery stores. Guisinger is seeking producers to join the cooperative. If interested in joining, please call Wayne Guisinger at (970) 565-4311.
(Updated by Julie Hudak on 1/24/08)

CSU Extension, La Plata County
Darrin Parmenter, Director
(970) 382-6463
parmenterdm@co.laplata.co.us
http://www.laplataextension.org

The mission of Extension is to provide information and education and to encourage the application of research-based knowledge in response to local, state and national issues affecting individuals, youth, family, businesses, agricultural enterprises and communities of Colorado. The La Plata County office works closely with other local food groups in offering education in the topics of local food awareness, food preservation, homescale and commercial gardening and farming, small acreage management, and beginning farmer training and mentoring.
(updated 6 Oct 2010 by Darrin Parmenter)


CSU Extension: Montezuma County Pricing Guide for Local Food Producers
Tom Hooten
(970) 565-3123

The Colorado State University Extension Office in Montezuma County is assembling a pricing guide for local food producers. This guide will serve as a starting point for producers who want to sell their products but do not know how to price them. If you would like to contribute anonymous information to this guide, please call Tom Hooten, CSU Extension, (970) 565-3123.
(Updated 1/10/08 by Tom Hooten)

Durango Natural Foods Co-op
Minna Jain, Community Outreach Coordinator
(970) 247-8129
www.durangonaturalfoods.coop

Durango Natural Foods has been serving Durango and the surrounding area since 1974 when a group of grassroots visionaries chose to establish a local outlet for low cost, quality food. We believe in healthy people, wholesome products, a thriving environment and a strong local economy. Twenty percent of the produce we sell in season is purchased from local growers, while seven to ten percent of products throughout the store -including sauces, granola, coffee, eggs and more- are locally and regionally produced. Look for our “Local” tags next to these items throughout the store.
(Updated by Minna Jain on 1/18/08)

Durango Slow Food Convivium
Andrea Parmenter
(970) 247-9783
awp9@q.com

Slow Food USA's mission is to give new life to the cultural, social and economic benefits of a sustainable food system, regional food traditions, the pleasures of the table, and a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life. The local chapter is working towards defending biodiversity in our food supply, spreading taste education and connecting producers of excellent foods with co-producers through events and initiatives.
(Updated by Darrin Parmenter on 1/14/08)

Food for Thought Program
Tina Evans, Chair Environmental Studies
Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO
(970) 247-7684
evans_t@fortlewis.edu

Food for Thought is a local food initiative of the Environmental Center and the Environmental Studies Program at Fort Lewis College. The program focuses on fruit tree planting and harvesting and beekeeping but also involves students with other local food initiatives in the region. The Food for Thought campus fruit tree orchard and the Environmental Studies beekeeping program are anchors for the Food for Thought program as a whole. The overarching goal of the program is to assist the students and faculty of Fort Lewis College and the residents of the Durango/La Plata County region in meeting the serious challenges of climate change and global peak oil production through contributing to a stronger and more sustainable local food system. This program serves as a springboard for both public education events and ongoing community efforts addressing sustainable food production. (Updated by Tina Evans 15 Jun 2010)

Ft. Lewis College Environmental Center: Local Foods Task Force & Local Food Team
Marcus Renner
Durango, CO
(970) 247-7676
http://www.fortlewis.edu/community_culture/envcenter_projects/local_food.asp

The FLC Environmental Center’s local food team maintains an organic demonstration garden and greenhouse and provides education on community food security to the campus and community. The FLC Local Foods Task Force provides a forum for students, faculty, and community members to talk about how the College can support local food. Students also continue to work with Sodexho to get more local food on campus.
(Updated 1/3/08 by Marcus Renner)

The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado
Shari Fitzgerald
(970) 259-3123www.thegardenprojectswcolorado.org  thegardenprojectsw@yahoo.com
The Garden Project is dedicated to building a healthier community through the promotion of a sustainable local food system and the facilitation of year-round garden and educational programs. They focus their goals around education, horticultural therapy, and food security. The Garden Project is currently facilitating gardening programs at the Manna Soup Kitchen Garden, Commons Garden, Ft. Lewis Mesa Elementary, Needham Elementary and the Durango Senior Center.  Additional support and programs are available to promote school and community gardens in Durango. If interested in collaborating or volunteering, please call Shari Fitzgerald.(Updated on 4/1/2010 by Shari Fitzgerald)

Growing Partners of SW Colorado
Katy Pepinsky, 2009-12 Community Food Project Manager
(970) 375-7705
katypepinsky@gmail
http://www.healthycommunityfoodsystems.org/page5/page5.html

Growing Partners of Southwest Colorado is partnership of agencies and individuals working together to support a fair, sustainable local food system that reaches all incomes, ages and cultures. Since 2004, Growing Partners has collaborated on food projects to increase community food security for underserved populations in La Plata County. See the webpage above for more on past and present Community Food Projects.

Steering Committee Member Organizations include:
• The Garden Project  of Southwest Colorado (see above)
• The Southern Ute  Community Action Program (SUCAP)
• La Boca Center for  Sustainability
• Turtle Lake Refuge  (see below)
• The Southwest Marketing  Network and Healthy Community Food Systems (see below)
• Colorado State University Extension, La Plata County
• Share Our Strength's, Operation Frontline Colorado
(Updated by Katy Pepinsky on 1/21/2012)

Healthy Community Food Systems
Jim Dyer jadyer@frontier.net
www.healthycommunityfoodsystems.org

The mission of HCFS is to help communities build healthy sustainable food systems through effective systems planning and development. Our goal is to provide communities with whole systems models as well as the strategic planning and implementation tools needed for effective development of healthy sustainable community food systems. We are involved in a variety of local food initiatives in SW Colorado, and as a partner of the Southwest Marketing Network, we also work across the Four Corners States. (Update by Jim Dyer, 1/9/12)


Healthy Lifestyle La Plata: Healthy Local Foods Working Group
Amita Nathwani amita_nathwani@yahoo.com
Jim Dyer jadyer@frontier.net
www.healthylifestylelaplata.org

The Healthy Local Foods Working Group is a part of Healthy Lifestyles La Plata that is dedicated to working with consumers, buyers, restaurants, grocers, and farmers on a consumer education campaign to support healthy, local food choices. The group is involved in such activities as Farm to School, the Mesa Verde Guide, local food policy, beginning farmers, and much more.
(Updated on 1/9/12 by Jim Dyer)

Heart and Soil Film
Mara LeGrand
La Plata County
www.heartandsoilfilm.com

Regional farmers gave me food for thought and film fodder for "Heart & Soil," but most importantly they offered their authentic selves. I highlighted the unsung, sometimes quirky but always intelligent and informed heroes, the poets of planting and harvest, husbandry and wool, crafting the earth to yield sustainable nourishment for their family and community. The film is inspiring people across the globe to visit farmer's markets, grow their own food and understand even if local food may cost a bit more, it's worth it not just for taste, but for our long term ability to thrive on the planet.
(Updated 1/4/08 by Mara LeGrand)

Local First
LeeAnn Vallejos, Managing Director
Durango, CO
(970) 382-2542
http://local-first.org
“Local First is a non-profit organization of 180 members and growing.  We support locally owned, independent businesses through marketing programs, events, and promotion – driving customers to Look Local First. “ Local First produces the Be Local Coupon Book and many events and programs through the year.
(Updated on 1/9/12 by Jim Dyer)

Manna Soup Kitchen Garden
Shari Fitzgerald of The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado
Durango, CO
(970) 259-3123

The goal of the Manna Soup Kitchen Garden is quite simple; we aim to increase local food security in our community by growing healthy food to supplement the meals served at the Manna Soup Kitchen. In cooperation with the Manna Soup Kitchen, The Garden Project coordinates the growing efforts at the Manna Garden. If interested in volunteering in the garden, please contact Shari Fitzgerald of The Garden Project.
(Updated on 8/25/08 by Julie Hudak)

Montelores Buy Local group
Matt Keefauver
Dolores and Montezuma Counties
(970) 739-8085

The Montelores Buy Local group is a volunteer group of local food activists whose mission is to promote local farmer's markets and the purchase of goods through small, independent local producers. The hope of this group is publicize the many benefits of purchasing locally produced products such as fruits and vegetables, honey, herbs, meats and other locally produced products. The group meets informally in the months prior to the farmer's market season. If you are interested in supporting the cause, please call Matt Keefauver.
(Updated by Matt Keefauver on 6/19/10)

New Community Coalition
Kris Holstrom, Sustainability Coordinator
Telluride, CO
(970) 728-1340
http://www.newcommunitycoalition.com/

The Sustainability Coordinator of the New Community Coalition came about through an intergovernmental agreement to jointly fund a position that would identify, coordinate and implement projects and ideas that promote regional sustainability. With dedicated funding from the governments and the Telluride Foundation, a non-profit entity, the New Community Coalition, is being formed to oversee the position and projects.
The New Community Coalition has established five Working Groups which include; Energy: Efficiency and Local Renewable Sources; Resource Recovery/Recycling; Food Security; Green Building, and; Economy. Each group meets to discuss general ideas and specific ways to implement the identified goals.
(Updated by Kris Holstrom in November 2007)

Organic Lands Stewardship of La Plata County
Katrina Blair, Turtle Lake Refuge
(970) 247-8395
http://www.turtlelakerefuge.org/

The Organic Lands Stewardship of La Plata County (OLS) is a local group of individuals and businesses collectively visualizing and implementing an "Organic Zone" in La Plata County. It is the goal of OLS to assist La Plata County in carrying out organic land practices. This means discontinuing the use of insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides on public parks, schools, and surrounding county lands. It is one of the primary goals of OLS to support the pollinator insects’ health and vitality in order for regional food to continue to be grown in La Plata County.
(Updated on 1/11/08 by Katrina Blair)

Profiles of La Plata County School Gardens
Shari Fitzgerald of The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado
(970) 259-3123thegardenprojectsw@yahoo.com
www.thegardenprojectswcolorado.org  
There are over 16 school gardens in La Plata County, for the most up to date information about school gardens, please visit http://www.thegardenprojectswcolorado.org/site/La_Plata_County_School_Gardens.html To become involved, please contact The Garden Project of Southwest Colorado.(Updated on 4/01/2010 by Shari Fitzgerald)

Shared Harvest Community Garden
Bob Kauer: 970-247-7850 or bobkauer@durango.net
Faye Schrater, Garden Manager: 970-382-0049 or fschrater@gobrainstorm.net
Durango, CO

Our organically managed 1 acre vegetable garden grew its first crops in 2002. Since then 60 plus members have formed teams, shared expenses, work and harvest. The garden is located NE of Durango on County Road 234 near the Florida river. Call for more information on getting involved. (6/19/10)

Southwest Marketing Network (SWMN): SW Colorado Project
Jim Dyer, Project Director
(970) 588-2292
jadyer@frontier.net
www.swmarketingnetwork.org

The SWMN has established its Southwest Colorado Project as a demonstration project to help ground its work throughout the Four Corners states. We have been assisting local food efforts for several years including farmers markets, alternative marketing education, the Mesa Verde Guide, SW CO Farm to School, and other efforts. The SWMN’s goal is to ensure that new, existing, and prospective Southwest producers - especially small-scale, alternative, and minority producers - have the connections with others, technical and financial assistance, marketing information, business and marketing skills, and peer examples to improve their marketing success, viability, and bottom line.
(updated 1/9/12 by Jim Dyer)

Turtle Lake Refuge &
Healthy Planet/ Healthy Bodies Lecture Dinner Series
Katrina Blair
(970) 247-8395
Durango, CO
http://www.turtlelakerefuge.org/

Turtle Lake Refuge is a non-profit whose mission is to celebrate the connection between personal health and wild lands. This goal is manifested by growing local produce for grocery stores, restaurants and public schools. Educational programs are offered such as growing greens year round, utilizing wild foods of the area and living food preparation. TLR serves lunch 2x/ week (Tuesdays and Fridays) using locally grown, wild and living foods. Wednesday nights from 6-8:30, TLR hosts a dinner-lecture series called "Healthy Planet/ Healthy Bodies." Guest speakers from the community lecture on the subject of health and sustainability. For information, contact TLR.
(updated 2/7/08 by Katrina Blair and Julie Hudak)

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Garden
Don Gordon
gordon_d@fortlewis.edu
Durango, CO

The Durango Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship started a community garden in the spring of 2007. Our purpose is to teach UUF children how to prepare soil, plant seeds, care for a garden, and enjoy the harvest (Fall potluck!). Since the site had never been used as a garden site it was an experiment about the productivity of virgin clay soil; we had reasonable success. Our biggest problem was wildlife enjoying the fruits of our labor; so, this year we will have a 12 foot tall fence to limit deer grazing and bear rummaging (birds are welcome).