Southwest Colorado’s climate, characterized by all four seasons and sometimes significant snowfall, supports a vibrant gardening and farming culture with a history spanning centuries. The cooler temperature, sunny days, water resources, and diverse soils contribute to this lifestyle. Colorado has over 32 million acres dedicated to agriculture, creating jobs, supporting the economy, and providing our community with fresh food. While the top agricultural counties are in the northeast part of the state due in part to flatter land, the southwest still boasts a thriving farming and ranching community.
What Can You Farm in Southwest Colorado?
Grain
Corn, wheat, hay, barley, millet, oats, sod, and sorghum are among Colorado’s most popular crops. These commodities serve both human consumption and animal feed. Wheat farming is one of the state’s biggest exports, making Colorado a leading national producer.
Vegetables
A wide variety of vegetables including lettuce, kale, spinach, cucumbers, carrots, radish, onions, brussel sprouts, and tomatoes can be grown in Colorado. These can be cultivated on hobby farms, greenhouses, or even DIY backyard garden beds. Knowing when to plant and harvest these vegetables, and understanding how to manage Southwest Colorado wildlife, which can be a nuisance to farmers, is crucial.
Fruit
Orchards are also found on rural properties in Southwest Colorado with apple, apricot, and plum trees behind easy to care for. Berry bushes like strawberries, blueberries, currants, and blackberries add sweet flavors to the garden, and are also found in the wild. Grapes, often used for wine production, are another popular fruit addition.
Southwest Colorado Farm Animals
Meat
In addition to common house pets like cats and dogs, many other furry friends thrive in the Colorado environment. These include cows, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and mules to name a few. While these animals often cohabitate together on farms, some are primarily used for grazing, entertainment, and by-products while others are bred for Colorado raised meat. Many farms adhere to grass feeding, hormone-free, and organic practices, although large production farms exist across the state.
Other Animal Sourced Products
Local farms and ranches in Colorado produce more than just meat. They also provide eggs, honey, wool, beeswax, milk, and cheese, which can be used for personal care products, art, and food, and many others. Many of these products can be found in galleries and other pop-up locations throughout the region, as well as 4-H events.
Local Durango Farms and Ranches
Additional benefits of supporting local farmers include fresher produce for you. The products spend less time in transit, meaning a fresher taste, and help retain farming land in the region and preserve the western heritage. Popular Durango and Southwest Colorado farms can be commonly found at local health food stores and the Durango Farmers Market.
Colorado produces enormous amounts of wheat, corn, dairy, hay, and many more everyday products, alongside fan favorites such as Palisade peaches, Olathe sweet corn, and Rocky Ford melons. Whether you’re looking to start your own garden or are already an experienced rancher, there are many properties to meet your needs. Please do not hesitate to let our knowledgeable real estate professionals assist you on your real estate journey.
