by hannah ryckman
Mountain Roots Food Project in partnership with the Coldharbour Institute, works to cultivate a resilient food system here in the Gunnison Valley that not only produces food, but also heals the land and connects the community to the Earth and their food. As part of this mission, Mountain Roots has begun a project to establish a Food Forest and windbreak on the Mountain Roots Community Farm at Coldharbour Ranch. Thanks to grant funding from the Colorado Garden Foundation and NCRS, Mountain Roots will be able to plant over 200 perennial trees, shrubs and flowers that will bear fruit at the Mountain Roots Community Farm. These trees will serve as a windbreak to protect cultivated vegetable crops, while also producing food and providing habitat for animals. The other fruit perennial trees, shrubs, and flowers will be planted in a landscape design that provokes thought and encourages participation; this concept of engaging with our food has led to the creation of our Mountain Roots Community Farm Food Forest.
The long term goal of the Food Forest is to design a regenerative space that benefits humans and the land. A Food Forest is a plant community that strives to mimic the resilience and diversity of natural ecosystems. The perennial plants in a Food Forest each have unique and distinctive roles and work with one another to resist disease, deter pests, conserve water, provide mulch, attract insects, build soil health, and much more.
Additionally, the Food Forest will provide homes and food for native wildlife and will increase the health of the ecosystem at Coldharbor Ranch. After installation and the first few years of development, the Food Forest will provide almost all its own ecosystem services and consequently will not need regular maintenance from outside sources. Our partner, Coldharbour Institute, works to expand regenerative agriculture practices into statewide growing techniques through collaborative and conscious work. The Mountain Roots Community Farm Food Forest will support Coldharbour’s mission by utilizing regenerative practices to make a Food Forest that benefits and bolsters the ecosystem.
The Food Forest will allow Coldharbour to have a space that exemplifies and demonstrates these regenerative practices, for educating and working with their students and the community. This space will also provide an excellent teaching area that illuminates what can be accomplished in the Gunnison Valley despite challenging growing conditions. Additionally, it will allow Mountain Roots to further its goal of building a sustainable future through community engagement.
During the development of this space this Spring and Summer, Mountain Roots will be holding community engagement opportunities that are open to the public. Local community experts will be coming to the Food Forest to give workshops on topics such as perennial care and much more. We need your help! Mountain Roots will also be looking for volunteers to help prepare the farm for installation of the hedgerow and Food Forest. We will need volunteers to dig holes and prep the land during the month of May. Following this preparation, many volunteers will be needed to plant all the trees after they arrive in late May. If you are interested in getting involved or have any questions please contact Hannah Ryckman, community farmer with Mountain Roots. She can be reached by email (hannah@mountainrootsfoodproject.org) or by phone (805-403-0504).
