Our Story
We grow high quality and nutrient dense produce, responsibly grown on 6 acres in Palisade, Colorado. Our 10 acres of fruit trees include peaches, nectarines, pluots and plums. We offer our produce year round at specialty grocery stores, restaurants and food pantries from Aspen to Southeastern Utah.
How We Got Started
The owner of Early Morning Orchard Skip Doty had a vision to grow his farm in a different way in 2011. It started when he saw a need for growing vegetables year-round. He felt there was a need to provide high quality produce year-round and this need was not being met in Western Colorado.
His vision really began to take shape in 2013 with the construction of four greenhouses, in addition to field growing spaces and orchards. Those first years were a tough learning process, with mixed results as he tried to find the right help and establish markets for the products grown.
His vision really began to take shape in 2013 with the construction of four greenhouses, in addition to field growing spaces and orchards. Those first years were a tough learning process, with mixed results as he tried to find the right help and establish markets for the products grown.
Growing The Farm
In 2018 the farm transitioned from a direct to consumer to wholesale only sales farm. This decision coincided with the opening of Skip's first farm to market store, Skips Farm to Market in Basalt. He realized that in order to have a year round supply of produce for this store and future stores he had planned it would be important to forge close relationships with the farming community surrounding the store. In 2019 with the hiring of Operations Manager Kaye Davis, a farm to table private chef and small business owner, the farm expanded the focus of the wholesale business to include new customers and new delivery areas. With the addition of a store in Fruita it gave the farm a reason to scale up production, at this time the farm added several acres to its production.
Our Produce
Mission
To build community through education, food accessibility, and being a model of appropriate land stewardship and regenerative agricultural techniques. We aim to create a sustainable model of regenerative farming and local agriculture that protects our food, employees, environment, and community.
Where We Are Now
2022 marks our third year of transitioning to regenerative agriculture, working with the NRCS on three projects incorporating conservation cover and working to upgrade our watering systems for our orchards. We are adding a culinary farm to table education program this Summer designed to immerse young chefs in the farm to table process, culminating in dinners on the farm in late Summer and early Fall.
We have increased our commitment to food accessibility and are now working with several food pantries, WIC and Senior programs to source, grow and deliver fresh food for their clients.
We have increased our commitment to food accessibility and are now working with several food pantries, WIC and Senior programs to source, grow and deliver fresh food for their clients.
Training for the
Future of Food
Early Morning Orchard provides an educational experience centered around a sustainable farming model which is healthy for the individual and the environment. Our agricultural experts ensure food accessibility through programs focused on putting the best nutrient dense fresh food possible into the hands of the community and those most in need.
The farm encourages a continuation of regenerative farming methods through training and providing the tools necessary for young farmers to move forward in their own pursuit of responsible land stewardship.
The farm encourages a continuation of regenerative farming methods through training and providing the tools necessary for young farmers to move forward in their own pursuit of responsible land stewardship.
