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The surrounding mountain wilderness and the fertile Smith Fork River valley have a wonderful history, originally as the hunting and growing grounds of the Ute Indians. The Utes were masters of the art of living in harmony with the land, foraging the abundant bounty of the area’s fields, forests and streams.
In the last quarter of the 19th Century the Smith Fork Valley and the great North Fork Valley below us to the west, were settled by pioneers and homesteaders from the Midwest. Although the Utes sadly have gone, many of the original old homesteads are still being farmed and ranched by the same families who settled here over 130 years ago.
We never lose the thrill and exhilaration that comes with each new season here in our beautiful valley in the mountains. Through the years we’ve noticed how rich and nurturing the soil is in some of our meadows. And so, three years ago, we started an organic farmstead garden, nestled in the meadow below the old Dance Barn, a living breathing reflection of our continued passion for the land and it’s seasons. As we harvest each season’s crops, we feel a stronger bond to this special place. We hope while you are here, you will feel the same, for you are welcome to take part in the garden activities. You will likely gain a greater appreciation and understanding of our relationship to the land and to the healthy food it provides us.
The SFR organic garden focuses on the preservation and production of heirloom varietals that have been planted for generations in places like Holland, France and elsewhere in America. However, it all starts with the soil. And the soil’s need for being fed provides the perfect use for the organic waste from around the ranch; kitchen scraps, grass and leaf trimmings, a bit of hay from the horse barns, and of course manure rich in nitrogen from the horses themselves. We are able to cultivate dozens of varieties vegetables and flowers without the use of synthetic fertilizers or chemicals.
SFR will of course continue our cherished farm-to-table relationships with the local farming community. Our own farmstead will supply only a portion of the ranch’s needs. But the educational value of having our own organic garden, not to mention the ultra freshness of the salads, fruits and vegetables harvested just yards and minutes away from cooking, will provide a level of enjoyment and health that is well beyond what is available in today’s fast paced, drive-thru world.