The Arkansas River Valley is deeply rooted in agriculture, bridging the past to the present and providing the potential for a sustainable future in our community.
Photo courtesy Guidestone
Salida: Past, Present & Future
In the early 1900’s, Salida and Buena Vista were considered the center of an agricultural district with farmers raising many crops such as wheat, barley, oats, field peas, bush fruits and other vegetables.
In 1917 Denny Isabel started growing lettuce and by 1918, other farmers followed, planting lettuce on 400 acres of land in Chaffee County.
In 1921, the Colorado Co-op Lettuce Association was formed, which helped farmers to market their lettuce and other produce. Lettuce was packed and transported by train to Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and Denver until production of lettuce began to decline after the depression.
In 1978, a census was taken by the U.S. Department of Commerce showing 145 farms or ranches in Chaffee County totaling 89,347 acres, with the average age of a rancher being 53 years old. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, the number of farms or ranches in Chaffee County increased to 223 but decreased to a total of 79,405 acres of land in production with the average age of farmers increased to 57 years old.
Today, there are many organizations, businesses, educational institutions and agencies in Chaffee County that have emerged to foster and ensure a vibrant local food economy now and for generations that follow.
For More Information:
Guidestone
719.445.9855
www.guidestonecolorado.org
The Central Colorado Foodshed Alliance (CCFA)
719-539-8523 – www.ccfa.coop
