Three local organizations have received grants totaling nearly $30,000 from the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
The “Enrich Colorado Ag Grant Program” aims to help companies conduct research and develop new uses and markets for food and agricultural products grown, raised or processed in Colorado. Of the nine agencies awarded across the state, three are local, including the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project, Cortez Evening Market and Southwest Farm Fresh Cooperative.
“The department takes great pride in the ability to support our local food and agricultural businesses,” said state agricultural official Tom Lipetzky.
The Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project received $7,500 to research market potential and data collection of heritage apples grown in southwestern Colorado.
Sponsored by the Four Corners Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, the Cortez Evening Market received $10,000 to market and promote the evening market in order to increase awareness and participation of vendors and consumers.
And the Southwest Farm Fresh Cooperative received $9,895 to advance the sales of local farm products from member-owners by using an established wholesale distribution method and soon to include retail online shopping access and distribution component.
The Mancos-based farm-produce cooperative’s grant is intended to create an online market that is scheduled to debut for Durango-area residents by mid-July.
Durango is the first target area, but direct delivery could expand to Cortez, Rico and Telluride, said Ole Bye, whose Local Food Logic became the 18-member cooperative when he realized the project was more than one person could handle.
Unlike customers who pre-pay, sight unseen, for a basket of farm produce every week, online shoppers will log on to the cooperative’s website where they will be able to see what members produce.
Customers can then leave orders, which will be delivered most likely Thursday evenings to a yet-to-be created depot in Durango for pick up by the purchaser.
Most cooperative members, who are found from Chimney Rock to Dolores County, grow vegetables, but there is a rainbow trout farm and a producer each of beef and pork, Bye said.
The cooperative currently serves about 35 restaurants and wholesale buyers. They also will be able to buy online.
Three refrigerated cargo trailers, constructed by Hiebco Trailers in Gem Village, have been acquired by the cooperative for produce delivery, Bye said.
They were purchased in September 2014 with a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant.
Dale Rodebaugh, of The Durango Herald, contributed to this report.