Young farmers find room to grow on open space

Two Roots Farm at Emma Open Space produced about 60,000 pounds of vegetables for local consumption last year, but the operation's yield did not stop there. Yet another farm took root as a Two Roots veteran launched his own farming enterprise this season.

For Two Roots owner Harper Kaufman, cultivating young growers is as important as the produce her operation distributes to area residents and restaurants. Her organic farm operates at Emma Open Space through Pitkin County Open Space and Trails' agricultural lease program, which provides opportunities for growers to pursue their passion on land they could never afford to acquire outright. In turn, lessees often employ others who are seeking a farm experience. Other small farms throughout the region are doing much the same thing, including some run by former Two Roots employees.

"I want to create more farmers and get more people set up in regenerative agriculture," said Kaufman. "It's a big goal of mine to create more farmers."

Former Two Roots employees include Sara Tymczyszyn, now executive director of Highwater Farm in Silt, and Ben Shaw, former Two Roots farm manager, who established nearby Greenbones Farm in Emma just this season. Bennett Silverman, harvest manager at Two Roots, has gone in with two friends on the purchase of land in Washington and will start his own farm there next year. Others have also gone on to establish farms elsewhere.

Shaw, who sold his produce at the Basalt Farmer's Market this season, credits Harper for not only setting him up in a job that aligns with his farming philosophy, but also a place to rent in Emma for his first season, when he moved from eastern Colorado. Expanding contacts led to another place to stay, and private land now he leases in Emma for his Greenbones Farm. Next year, he plans to hire one employee, offering yet another farming opportunity to someone.

"Harper's amazing. I truly believe I wouldn't be in this scenario now without her," Shaw said. "In Emma, there's a real opportunity to cultivate a local agriculture scene. It takes giving young people a shot at it."

Silverman, who began his farm career at the Farm Collaborative near Aspen before joining Two Roots, shoulders the responsibility for knowing what crops will be available for harvest each week and in what quantity, and working with Harper to push that produce to market via the Two Roots CSA shares, its weekly farm stand and sales to restaurants.

"I've learned a lot about balancing priorities in what we're growing and getting it to market," he said.

Silverman expects his farm in Washington to employ the regenerative practices he has learned in Emma and to sell vegetables at farmer's markets to start, with CSAs an eventual goal. (CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. Buyers purchase CSA shares before the start of the season and receive weekly or biweekly allotments of whatever produce is ripe for harvest.)

Silverman is among five returning farmers on this year's Two Roots roster, joined by three newcomers. Typically, employees have some farm experience already, but want to learn what Two Roots practices - organic farming that focuses on restoring soil health and biodiversity, and producing nutrient-rich food - hallmarks of regenerative agriculture. Employees are often handed plenty of responsibility, aligned with their particular interests and experience.

For Kyle Weston, in his third and final season as a full-time seasonal employee, Two Roots helped shape his passion for soil fertilization. He is working on a Crop Advisory Certificate with the goal of providing consulting help to other growers. Among his three managerial titles at Two Roots is soil fertility manager. Two Roots has given Weston the opportunity to explore things like foliar sprays - liquid applications that fit with the farm's organic mandate. For example, a spray made with eggshells and apple cider vinegar will provide plants with easily absorbed calcium. He concocts a bug repellent made with garlic, cinnamon, licorice root and other natural ingredients.

Marieta Bialek is in her first year as Two Roots' floral lead. Two Roots offers a "you cut" option to CSA members who select and cut their own bouquets, and fulfills flower orders for small weddings. Everything from the selection and planting of multitude of seeds back in February through May in a greenhouse, to working with Harper on space requirements for the flower garden at the farm and handling flower orders are Bialek's responsibility.

"It's a nice niche for me to work at Two Roots and be fulfilled and move forward in my flower career," Bialek said.

Haley Kasuls, in her second year of farming and her first at Two Roots, is learning as she goes.

"There is a world of knowledge here in the farm. Everyone has a special niche here," she said.

Crew members work full days and there is weekend work. At this time of year, days are filled with harvesting, washing and prepping produce for distribution and operating the two CSA pickup days each week plus the Friday Market farm stand. For some, the job begins in early spring. Most will finish up at the end of October. The camaraderie is evident in the field and everybody takes a turn at prepping the daily lunch, made with farm-fresh veggies for a shared midday meal.

Field manager Anna Weller, a seasoned farmer who is in her first year at Two Roots, started in March and will be the sole employee through the coming winter. She is in charge of the outdoor crops, delegating responsibilities, overseeing irrigation and making sure everyone is happy.

"I've learned a lot about the regenerative approach to farming and I work with a wonderful group of people who love to farm," she said. "For pretty hard work, we're pretty excited to be here."

- By Pitkin County Open Space and Trails

Anna Weller (left) and Two Roots Farm owner Harper Kaufman.

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