Colorado Farm and Food Alliance

02/26/2026

https://mailchi.mp/6057dc667fcf/hello-from-mariposa-garden-project

02/04/2026

We hope to see you tonight. Like our gardens, the CO Farm and Food Alliance has been put to bed. But everyone knows that's just the new things getting ready for spring! This evening join w/ Mariposa Ascendente Paonia and EMERGE

The Colorado Farm & Food Alliance sunsetted in December 2025 - but our legacy and impact continues!

First, we want to thank all our for your support and engagement over these past years. We are so proud of all we have been able to accomplish together.

And we are so excited to invite you to the emergence event of the Mariposa Ascendente Paonia project.

CO Farm & Food will be acknowledging the work that came before, and the new projects and purpose rising up, like a butterfly emerging from what it has transformed out of.

This is one of our legacy projects, being stood up at the garden space by Amber VanCleave and Sarsa Elzbet, that COFFA stewarded and that Elizabeth Agee envisioned and nurtured into being.

Now it has its wings, and is preparing to emerge as its own community-centered resource and regenerative hub.

See you there!

01/29/2026

The Colorado Farm & Food Alliance sunsetted in December 2025 - but our legacy and impact continues!

First, we want to thank all our for your support and engagement over these past years. We are so proud of all we have been able to accomplish together.

And we are so excited to invite you to the emergence event of the Mariposa Ascendente Paonia project.

CO Farm & Food will be acknowledging the work that came before, and the new projects and purpose rising up, like a butterfly emerging from what it has transformed out of.

This is one of our legacy projects, being stood up at the garden space by Amber VanCleave and Sarsa Elzbet, that COFFA stewarded and that Elizabeth Agee envisioned and nurtured into being.

Now it has its wings, and is preparing to emerge as its own community-centered resource and regenerative hub.

See you there!

11/28/2025

SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU!

The Colorado Farm & Food Alliance is ending in 2025 - but our work is continuing in new and ongoing projects in the valley.

First, today and everyday we are so thankful for our farmers, farm- and food-service workers, cooks and helpers that put meals on our table.

We look forward to this time of year, to share food with family and friends. And we remember the many less fortunate and ask that we do better in making our own table longer.

Since its inception ten years ago, the Colorado Farm & Food Alliance has made its mission to support the farm and food movement, local enterprises, residents and organizations of the North Fork Valley and beyond.

We are proud of our work and accomplishments - none of which would have found impact without you. Our Colorado supporters and communities that share in our vision and values who pitched in, showed up and amplified our effort is what made the difference.

Thank you.

Second, as the former makes room for the new, to become the fertile soil from which new ideas, new leaders and new purpose can emerge, we are honored to introduce Mariposa Ascendente Project - being stewarded in partnership with Viva la Vida.

This is the continuation of the garden space and classroom that CO Farm & Food Alliance has cultivated for three years, first under the leadership of Elizabeth and now with Amber, as garden manager, and Sarsa, who is finishing up as a Healthy Futures servicemember.

Sarsa has been listening to and learning from producers and others in the North Fork Valley for over a year, and is now taking on a new staff role carrying her service and lessons from it forward.

We are grateful to Mountain Roots Food Project for supporting this effort now emerging at the Mariposa project.

You can like and follow on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581196063452
and join the Mariposa Ascendente email update list at https://mailchi.mp/86b6641812a0/mariposa-sign-up

And, carrying forward our work on rural renewables - agrivoltaics and community solar - is Mirasol Agrivoltaic, a new Colorado nonprofit helping to advance the Thistle Whistle Community Solar project and develop strategies to increase energy equity and access. You can check out their website to learn more and sign up for updates here . https://mirasol-ag.org/

In the next month we will be posting some retrospective pieces about our work over the past decade, sharing more ways that our impact is continuing and, most importantly, how you can stay engaged in this vital work.

Thank you again, and please keep supporting these great organizations and their missions.

11/10/2025

Join our community brainstorming & planning session this Monday, November 10th from 4-5pm at The Hearth. Together we can make a positive impact!

08/14/2025

Sarsa is conducting a second round of surveys and in-depth, in-person interviews with farmers, ranchers, and producers across the North Fork Valley! Read more about this project here- https://www.colofarmfood.org/blog/listening-to-the-land
If you are interested in participating in a survey or interview, please send an email to [email protected]

08/13/2025

Join us TONIGHT for our monthly Farmers Social at Big B's Delicious Orchards from 5pm to 8pm (Wednesday August 13th) - 39126 Hwy 133 - 1 mile west of Paonia!

A gathering for farmers, ranchers, producers, families and friends to get together for conversation, food, drinks, and community connection!

08/08/2025

Did you know that at the start of the 20th Century, early Forest Service surveys stressed that healthy forests protect soil and replenish water, directly supporting rural economies?

For generations, the public lands surrounding the North Fork have sustained orchards, vineyards, hayfields, families, and livelihoods.
That is why the GORP Act is so important today.

Read more about this act of local public lands conservation here - https://www.colofarmfood.org/blog/history-of-stewardship-and-use-rooted-in-rural-colorado

Thank you Senator Michael Bennet Rep. Jeff Hurd Senator John Hickenlooper for your work to protect Colorado's public lands and water.

Our Blog Pete Kolbenschlag 8/8/25 Pete Kolbenschlag 8/8/25 Why Public Lands Matter: A History of Stewardship and Use Rooted in Rural Colorado At the start of the 20th Century, early Forest Service surveys stressed that healthy forests protect soil and replenish water, directly supporting rural econo...

08/05/2025

Check out our latest blog, "Organic" by Amber Van Cleave. She writes, "I want to apply the word 'organic' to this garden project in the expanded sense of 'something that happens or develops naturally… something that is real, unforced, and comes from within.' https://www.colofarmfood.org/blog/organic

07/29/2025

JULY BULLETIN 🌽🍷☀ - https://mailchi.mp/dc71cde2a984/july-bulletin-8335792

Mid-Summer Update- Community Nights at the Garden, weekly on Wednesdays, Visit our new office: OPEN HOUSE at Mariposa Ascendente Regenerative Gardens, Wed. 8/6 w/ Snider & Hickam Jazz Duo, locally-sourced goodies and neighbors - plus AmeriCorps update and new online resources

07/25/2025

Global warming -- climate change -- means hotter summers are here. Read our latest climate blog, from Lauren, on our website.

In the next decade, we can expect not only more scorching days but also far-reaching consequences for our health, economy, and environment. The good news? We still have time to act. However, that window is closing fast.