Why Chimney Rock Farms

Pure Food and Hemp

For over ten years Chimney Rock Farms has been one of the largest USDA Certified Organic Farms in our region producing the finest organic fruits and vegetables . In 2012 we converted our farm into Colorado's first organically certified commercial aquaponics operation and soon afterwards expanded into herbs and hemp. With over 60 acres of pristine farmland on the banks of the Piedra River, Chimney Rock Farms borders the San Juan National Forest wilderness area which is the source of our water supply. We drip and flood irrigate river water originating from snow melt high in the Rockies guaranteeing no herbicide or pesticide run-off from upstream conventional farms or industrial parks. Since we don't use ditch water, nor pump groundwater; we know the source, quality and sustainability of our water supply will meet our customers desire for pure food and hemp products far into the future. To us "Pure" means much more than "Organic" because it includes sustainability. Our research includes on-farm energy production, farm produced animal feed and regenerative field farming practices.

Much of our hemp is grown on contract for nutraceutical companies requiring full spectrum oils high in cannabinoids such as CBD, CBC, CBG, CBN in addition to vital amino acids, vitamins, terpenes and trace minerals (often lacking from overseas sources) which contribute to good health*. We provide the highest quality hemp oil to the market by feeding our soils not just plants, controlling quality beyond industry practices, and delivering it via a fully transparent supply chain.

Early native Americans once considered this land sacred and were among the first humans to farm in North America. Their staple crop called "Teosinte" was the seed grass precursor of the corn we grow today. The farm is nestled in a magnificent valley within the shadows of the twin rock spires of the Chimney Rock National Monument. Native Americans used Chimney Rock as a celestial calendar for planting and harvesting. The connection between humans, nature and the land runs deep at Chimney Rock Farms. Here is how we honor that history.

No-Till Cover Cropping

Chimney Rock Hemp is grown organically without chemical herbicides or pesticides. We control weeds by rotating cover crops, succession planting, and grazing our flock of Navajo Churro sheep after each harvest. This method fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere, builds organic matter and locks carbon back into the soil.
Check out this video.

Soil Amendments

Chimney Rock Farms is researching biochar as a soil additive to supercharge hemp production. It is still too early to tell but we are excited about using the char waste from our wood boiler (that heats our greenhouses) to improve soil fertility. We are experimenting with soaking bio-char in aquaponics water to kick start the bacterial decomposition process. We know aquaponics water works wonders on soil in hemp pots and hope to see similar results in the fields.

Fertility Management

At Chimney Rock Farms we think just as much about growing soil as growing plants.

In addition to cover cropping to fix nitrogen we use hemp to break down heavy clay soils and aerate plant roots. A hemp plant root system can often reach over three feet deep providing an effective way to build soil microbe habitat and retain moisture during periods of drought.

At Chimney Rock Farms we feed our greenhouse plants compost tea mixtures at least twice a week and our outdoor fields at least bi-weekly.

Pest Management

Pests are a clear indicator of plant stress. Weak plants are attacked more readily than healthy ones so we focus on plant health rather than pest elimination. Hemp wants well drained humus soil and moderate amounts of water (about 2/3 the amount of water required of corn ) so keeping it well fed and watered controls most pests.

We only use organic OMRI certified oils as part of our Integrated Pest Management program to discourage infestations.

Between each field we tend scrub oak and pine hedgeways to serve as habitat for beneficial insects and birds that control our pest populations naturally. If we do have a problem insect we research its lifecycle, create predator habitats then release beneficial insects.

Security