Mariposa Reflections
With news of the completion of Colorado Farm and Food Alliance’s organization as I had come to know it came a wave of emotions: curiosity, tenderness and gratitude, a tinge of relief. I have evolved so much as a person as a result of my time there and the creation of the Just Good Food program and Mariposa Ascendente. A flood of memories reminds me of the workshops where I learned so much about regenerative agriculture and the people who believe in it through action and brave experimentation. From Jason Wrich’s heroic efforts to rotationally graze cattle on hundreds of acres in open space and on neighbors fields to Carter Keegan’s love for ducks and all means of feathered creatures, we covered a lot of acres and stories through the years.
There really is no greater honor in life than to create resonance with people and to hear that you inspired them, that they want to take a piece of something you shared and breathe life into it to keep it evolving, ascending, growing. I think that was always the spirit of CoFFA, the ethos that kept Pete and me going, innovating, collaborating and uplifting those that had a special story or project to share. Nothing lasts forever and yet, some things have the opportunity to evolve and continue for another year, another generation, another story. Projects like Mariposa Ascendente and Mirasol Agrovoltaic are living examples of what we always sought to support. Projects that breathed new life into community held land that just needed a little boost in resources, vision, design, connectivity.
I have worked closely with both Amber and Sarsa in the garden and I know that these two ladies have a lot of heart and love for the community in Paonia and beyond. I am excited to pass the reins and see what they will create with the butterfly garden I built there. I was excited to hear that they contributed to the medicinal herb garden and tended to the soil so that it will continue to give back for years to come. I hope that they will continue to nourish the soil, the swales and the classroom space so that it is maintained as a healthy gathering and growing space. I hope that they will continue to elevate the stories of the farmers and ranchers that characterize the North Fork Valley, those sun drenched and hearty souls who have literally built the livelihood of the area and made it such an abundant and nourishing place to be. Because, when you look back, all we really have are our stories. The people you touched, the ways you wove your stories together, the history of a place, the lessons learned and the lessons shared. Mariposa Ascendente was designed with these sentiments at its core. When we stop telling the stories of a place, people forget who came before, what is important, where we are going. Mariposa is a place to keep the agricultural legacy of the North Fork alive, to deepen roots and share wisdom.
May the garden’s future be full of healthy food, connection, storytelling, educational opportunities for farmers and the community at large!
~Elizabeth Agee, who started the garden growing
