This Organic Vegetable Farm Finds Itself at a Crossroads — So, Which Way Now?
October 2, 2024 After 15 years as organic farmers, Erin Dreistadt and Jason Griffith of Aspen Moon Farm near Boulder, CO, still cherish their way of life. They take pride in nourishing their Boulder County neighbors. They love understanding the ground they work in. “When you’re actively in relationship with the land, you can see how the water is absorbed. You can see how the crops do. You can see how the soil responds when we harrow or just work the soil,” Dreistadt says.
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Back in the beginning, those things were intimidating, but now the couple knows to simply observe, take notes, and engage actively with their farm.
But 15 years in, the couple struggles with how to meet current challenges, namely labor and operational expenses. Downsize? Maintain current acres?
Their debate is one growers across the country are having. How do you balance a love of growing and the business of farming with modern financial demands and a labor shortage?
Farm Size and a Tough Ag Economy
For the past seven years, Aspen Moon farmed 100 acres. It happened in a way that’s all too familiar for growers: a parcel of land adjacent to an existing field becomes available, and the need to spread fields over several miles as insurance against Colorado’s notorious hailstorms.
In 2024, it downsized to 80 acres.
“It’s not a huge difference between 100 and 80 [acres]. But at some point, we might need to consider pulling back to 10 or 20 acres,” Dreistadt says.
One thing they’re not considering is hanging it all up.
“Our mission is to feed as many people as possible. Good high quality, nutritious, local food,” she says.
The trick is to find a route that navigates today’s challenges.
“I feel like farms need more support,” Dreistadt says.
Farm labor reform across the U.S. involves not only higher wages but also a range of regulations, inspections, and other hidden costs.
“Those are very needed things. Most of us are very aware of that. At the same time, it still is just adding more and more to our plate,” she says.
So how do growers meet those needs without raising prices or assistance?
“It’s a whole community shift that needs to happen. But there’s also a lot in the news about rising costs of food, and that’s a concern. We don’t want to push away our customers by having such high costs,” Dreistadt says.
Some answers may lie in the food industry, state departments of agriculture, and USDA, she says.
“Maybe housing for agricultural workers,” she suggests, “Things like that would really help us continue at the size we are or increase.”
This is where large institutions can step in to help. Growers like Dreistadt and Griffith are hands-on growers. They don’t have time to campaign for these kinds of big changes — that needs an advocate.
Local Food Matters
There are a lot of needs in agriculture, Dreistadt acknowledges. But finding a way to support farms supplying local produce is important.
Many programs support community education and market opportunities. While those are important, they’re all dependent on the food farmers supply.
“We need to support the agricultural entities that are focusing on production,” she says.
American Vegetable Grower’s GROW STRONGER initiative brings you positive stories from progressive growers filled with innovative solutions to help you grow a stronger future.
Aspen Moon Farm is now in its second year using H-2A, but housing costs in Boulder County stretch the budget. It has had an intern program, which was trendy among students for a while. But like all things, the trend has moved on. Nonprofits are the current internship of choice.
Without an external support system regarding labor, a much smaller farm may be the answer.
“We can maintain satisfaction with pulling back just a little bit and doing things well,” Dreistadt says.
And that may be OK, she says.
“I feel as essential to our whole food system as the day we started. Back then, it was a little more, how can we expand? How can we grow more? And how can we meet the need of every request that we get from our community?” Dreistadt says.
Dreistadt and Griffith spend their off seasons weighing the future.
“How can we be here best for our community? We still are the size that we have that personal relationship with customers. People email us, people tell us their personal stories about their health and how it’s changed, or how it’s supported by shopping with us.”
At a Glance: Aspen Moon Farm
Owners: Erin Dreistadt & Jason Griffith
Year founded: 2009
Crops Grown: Certified Organic mixed vegetables, berries, herbs, and starter plants in the Spring
Type of customers: CSA, Roadside Farm stand, Farmers Markets
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