News and blog

Cameron Place CSA -a branch of Rancho Durazno -is searching for a new farm manager for the 2012 growing season.  Scott and Jessica did a good job in 2011, and have decided to look for other jobs with higher salaries.  I appreciate their enthusiasm and hard work, and wish them well.

As a farmer who has been dependent on risk-based income for 33 years, I firmly believe that a successful CSA manager must be willing to share a portion of the risk that crops and income may fail from natural causes beyond our control.  More importantly, success also hinges on the things that a farmer and farm manager can control, and difficult choices are inherent in running any enterprise.

The farm grounds, barn and greenhouse are in great shape due to the good work of Ben Wilke, Scott and Jessica Washkowiak, Ben Hill, Garance, Jessica E., Julio, and our work-share volunteers and WWOOFers.  I am confident that we will find excellent candidates for the Cameron Place's farm manager's job from a pool that includes former interns and other individuals who are eager for the opportunity to lead a CSA that is well-established and fully equipped to meet the needs of our local food and farming community.

Please write to cameronplacecsa@bresnan.net with your concerns, questions or suggestions.

Thank you,

Thomas Cameron

We had such a great time hosting Bookcliff Vineyards and The Black Cat Bistro for the 2011 Rocky Mountian Wine Festival's wine maker dinner. The wines were fantastic and the food was delicious. At Rancho Durazno we want to Thank all the guest who came to the wine festival and who supported the "Feast In The Field" farm to table dinner. The rain pushed us into the green house and we were so happy to accommodate everyone. We hope you are able to come next year!

Friday September 16 Rancho Durazno, Cameron Place CSA and Bookcliff Vinyards are very excited to colaborate all our efforts for the 2011 Rocky Mountain Wine Festival "Feast In The Field" dinner. Chef Eric Skokan of the Black Cat Bistro will prepare this years meal. Eric is well known for his menus based on local resources, highlighting seasonal organic cusine. Wines from Bookcliff Vineyards will be exquisitely paired along with Organic produce from the Cameron Place CSA and Fruits from Rancho Durazno.

For More information please click here. If you have any questions please call us at 970-402-8364.

Come join us at Rancho Durazno where rows of fruit trees are framed by the Glowing Bookcliffs and The Grand Mesa for a truly memorable evening.

We wanted to thank the CEC (Colorado Environmental Coalition) for another great BBQ. At Rancho Durazno we are so happy to extend our farm to this wonderful group of individuals and to a positive organization. The BBQ was a success. The warm spring night was just what we needed to get ready for a great peach season. Everyone had a great time dancing to the music of Flat Top Reed, meeting new people, touring the farm and eating good food. We look forward to many fun times with the CEC and all our friends.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Resisting cliches of "projectile avoidance behavior", I am relieved this morning that the weather did not pan out as forecast by the National Weather Service.  Snow fell in the afternoon and early evening, but the wind was not as high as expected -a first encouraging sign.  Skies did clear about midnight, but still fuzzy with high humidity.  Most importantly, the dew point was much higher than NWS projections -above the critical temperature of 28 degrees.  "Dew point" is the temperature at which moisture condenses out of the atmosphere, releasing energy in the form of heat, thus keeping air temperature from falling below the dew point until atmospheric H2O is exhausted.  It was not exhausted and our low temperature of 29 only lasted a moment, and was generally 32 at the lowest.

The weather service is warning of further low temperatures tonight, though not in Palisade.  I hope our friends in Hotchkiss, Paonia and Cedaredge are holding out.

At present, it looks as though we have sufficient apricot and cherry crops, though certainly less abundant than last year.  It's too soon to tell about plums.  We have been thinning peach buds and blossoms for three weeks, though that is on hold now until mid May.  Members of the Cameron Place CSA holding Weekly and Bounty Fruit Shares can still expect to receive the full complement of Rancho Durazno fruit, as would additional members committing to Fruit Shares prior to damaging events that may yet diminish the crops.  May 10 is the traditional date for declaring the frost season over -two weeks away.

Thanks for keeping our farm in your thoughts.  I hope your spring is unfolding in encouraging ways as well.

Thomas Cameron

Please watch this video as Thomas describes to the interns of his sister farm Cameron Place CSA how and why we need to thin peach blossoms.