Ridgway Farmers Market

From May through September, Ridgway hosts a Sunday Farmers Market, popular with locals from a four-county area who come together for locally-grown fresh fruits, vegetables, pastries, and community resources oriented toward local issues.

A steady stream of foodies stopped by to chat and hear about the mission of the Homegrown Prosperity bus tour. Farmers markets have been a great way for the bus crew to connect with local residents this summer. Local, healthy food is one of the umbrella issues that everyone can understand. Those seeking a healthy diet and community are already on board advocating renewable energies. The message of the green bus offers an opportunity to empower an exchange of ideas and experiences that may otherwise stand idle.

Marie and William of the Indian Ridge Farm and Bakery were excited about the challenges of growing fruit and produce in a challenging climate. Marie declared, “the harvest is more rewarding here compared to our home in North Carolina.” John and RoseMary from Ridgway were fascinated to hear that oilseed crops could be grown on marginal lands where moisture is limited. John suggested there should be a map created to identify suitable lands where camelina and other oilseed crops could be effectively grown. Frank, a resident of the San Juans, supported our frustration over the confusion between biodiesel and ethanol. “The surge in ethanol production is death for the cattle business,” cried the third generation cattle rancher. While the price of corn has increased from way below the cost of production, the major variable in the higher cost is the inflated cost of a barrel of oil.

Our big green bus was positioned next to Scott and Sheelagh Williams from the Ridgway-Ouray Community Council www.roccnet.org. They were a hotspot for local activists concerned about preserving the pristine wilderness areas of Ouray County. ROCC is working to get local support for the proposed Whitehouse Expansion of the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area. The area under consideration consists of approximately 16,000 acres north and east of Mount Sneffels and is already managed as “wilderness” by the US Forest Service. Federal legislation designating this area as Wilderness will provide permanent protection of this incredible land valued by Colorado locals and tourists. Over 20 people wrote personalized letters to the local Congressman asking for expansion of the Sneffels Wilderness area in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.

After writing our letters to Congressman Salazar, the bus crew took a couple of days for field research up in the Blue Lakes area and summitted Mt. Sneffels. We can personally attest for the importance of expanding the wilderness boundary that will keep this area free from roads and development. Photos of the trip can be seen in our pictures section.