Folks Farm is a first generation farm. Our land and resources have not been inherited generationally. However, that does not mean it has come to fruition solely by the hands of the Folks directly involved. My career, and vision of farming, has been propagated from a unique lineage of biodynamics, organic market farming, and seed stewardship.
I have had the fortune of learning the trade under a master grower, Rich Pecoraro of MASA Seed Foundation. When I first met Rich I was immediately turned on the ability as growers to adapt crops to local conditions. Intergenerational seed saving has brought the Front Range drought tolerant onions, bolt resistant lettuces, and carrots performing in clay soils.
Fast forward to this season. I am scanning Google Earth, following the Pleasant Valley Ditch looking for field space to grow storage crops like squash and potatoes. Along my search I see a farm, smack in the middle of Fort Collins perfectly positioned between our home and main farm. I recognize this as Happy Heart Farm. I knew of Happy Heart’s legacy but had never visited myself.
Later that afternoon I was pulling into the driveway and knock on doors. Luckily for me, and the homeowners, someone was already outside. Dennis Stenson introduced himself and proceeded to give me a tour of the land, explaining how he and his wife Bailey had stewarded this soil biodynamically for 40 years.
The farm had been growing hemp in the past few years and was now preparing for the development of an intentional community. I made an offer to lease some ground and the ball was rolling.
After meeting with both the Stensons and the development group Polestar, we realized we had more in common than being vegetable farmers. Turns out Dennis knew Rich over 30 years ago when Pecoraro had spent time in Fort Collins, living on the same street I live on now. I remembered old stories of his time in Foco where he first fell in love with farming.
This entire experience has played out in such an serendipitous way. Imagine knocking on a stranger’s door only to realize you exist in the same family tree.
It truly comes with a Happy Heart that I can say we will be growing together during the interim time between developing the ground. A year, two years, we do not know. However, a friendship has been created. One that reminds us just how connected we are as growers and people.
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