Gunnison Country Times

Thursday, May 30, 2013 NEWS A5

Farm
from page A1 ventilated during hot afternoons. According to Goldstein, theyre essential for extending the short growing season at his and Beckers Headwaters Farm, which they hope will help bring about a revival of farming in Gunnison. Goldstein, who graduated in 2012, and Becker, who finished his college career earlier this month, are both products of Westerns Environmental Studies program, where they were instilled with a sense of responsibility to the planet. Farming for us fulfills environmental justice problems, social justice problems. ... We dont have to think about starving children in Africa all the time, said Goldstein. Instead, by bringing farming back to Gunnison, the pair are hoping to put skills back into peoples hands and thus solve problems closer to home. Its seasonal, but it feels good to be a producer, not just for the food, said Becker. Were not just moving paper, trying to make money, but were contributing something. And already all four hoop houses are teeming with life, from little green shoots to radishes ready to eat. With the help of some friends and advice from local Dakota Becker, left, and Brian Goldstein working on garden gurus and former professors, Becker and the farm. Photo by Laura Anderson Goldstein had their hoop houses built and planted by mid April. I told them not everyone can be a farmer, but the Soil makes the farm, but so does the community, jobs that are part of the future dont exist yet, so you said Goldstein. And without one local landowner, Headwaters Farm have to make it, Goldstein said. It changes what it would not exist. Gary Hausler, who owns Lost Miner means to be part of a place. Were building the ship mid flight, added Becker Ranch, offered to give them a plot of land in exchange with a laugh. We really just want to enjoy what were for a share of their harvest; they readily agreed. Weve put everything into this, said Goldstein. doing. And so far, they are. As Goldstein pointed out, in And the free land, the generous donation enabled us one day, they can go rip the backcountry and come to do what we have done. Hausler said hes eager to see what the ambitious back and water the plants. They also carry a sense of responsibility, which they young farmers can grow. Theres been no farming in Gunnison in years say is a big part of why they chose to name the opera like 50. As youre well aware, its a tough place to tion Headwaters Farm. They explained that nearby, farm, he said. I think its an interesting experience to in the Cochetopa Hills, is a place called Headwaters Hill, which is significant because it is a rare triple see what they can raise. Its good to grow stuff locally. Headwaters Farm also includes outdoor beds, which divide, meaning that water from that seemingly insigthe pair have been working to plant over the last week. nificant mound is routed to three major drainages, the Their main crop is assorted greens, and theyve planted Arkansas, Rio Grande and Colorado rivers. We dont want to make it worse, but make it beta variety, many of which cant be found on grocery store shelves like an assortment of mustard, orache ter, explained Goldstein. Im not sure if were farmers or environmentalists, but we just want to collaborate and mache. But farming in Gunnison is not an easy task, and and live. Goldstein and Becker hope a whole network of Goldstein explained that its as much about creating a farms will crop up in the valley: One farm by itself is lifestyle as it is about growing food. If I really wanted to be a farmer, I could move open and exposed. They plan to sell their produce at local farmers marsomewhere where its easier. But I wanted to figure out kets and restaurants and distribute through CSAs. a way to live in this place, he said. Often that means getting creative, as they explained (Laura Anderson can be reached at 970.641.1414 to a group of students who toured the hoop houses or laura@gunnisontimes.com) shortly after they were erected.

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Water
from page A1 never found to be in violation of standards. Greer has long attempted to put into perspective known science regarding the amount of radium in Antelope Hills previous water supply noting that drinking water containing 10 pCi/L of radium for decades would only slightly increase a persons chance of contracting cancer in a lifetime. Still, he said that the HOA began discussing with the state ways to rectify the problem. Everything they came up with was cost-prohibitive, he said. In 2007, the HOA decided to drill a new well in hopes that the source of water would dilute the two existing wells. But tests indicated that the problem didnt subside with the new well. So Greer and the HOA turned to the county, which at the time had just wrapped up a sewer-line extension for the North Valley subdivision near Cranor Hill Ski Area, northeast of Gunnison. In April 2009, the Gunnison County Commissioners directed staff to begin assisting the Antelope Hills HOA with plans for extending the water line from the countys Dos Rios water treatment plant to

the subdivision and essentially discontinuing the developments existing groundwater supply system. The same year, the state gave the subdivisions HOA two years to come into compliance with standards, or at least show progress that they were working toward a solution. Public Works Director Marlene Crosby helped to secure a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Loan to pay for the approximately $1.1 million project. Originally, a grant was offered in tandem, but due to a very competitive bid from a local contractor, the grant funding was not needed, she said. The HOA paid a tap fee totaling $13,500 from its reserves, which helped secure the loan. Lacy Construction of Crested Butte was awarded the bid in March of 2012. The USDAs loan for the new water line will be repaid, indirectly, through user fees from Antelope Hills customers. The county bills the HOA quarterly for water and the cost of repaying the loan, and the HOA will pass those expenses on to residents via a new rate that will first appear on bills late next month. The new rate for residences will be $265 per quarter, compared to

the previous charge of $125 quarterly. By way of comparison, residences in Dos Rios currently pay about $100 quarterly for their water. Neighbors in Antelope Hills agree that the change has taken place quietly. But its one that they welcome. Current HOA President John McDonald is hopeful that the new water line will help boost property values, which in recent years have been deflated amid the water woes. It is so incredibly beautiful up here and I have a cohort of neighbors that I really enjoy, added neighbor Ann Good. I cant tell you that theres been this big, magical difference in my life, other than I guess the peace of mind that its the way its supposed to be. Though hes now living hundreds of miles away, former HOA President Greer credits county leaders for helping to broker a solution to the water woes. The one sad thing in leaving Gunnison was not being there for the day that they turned the valve on, he said. Without this solution, the properties are valueless. People would have lost their life savings out there. (Will Shoemaker can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or editor@gunnisontimes.com)

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