Boulder & Longmont Farmers' Markets

Focus on the Farmer:

Isabelle Farm

By Elisabeth Worthing

Natalie and Jason Condon have been inching into their small business, Isabelle Farm, for a few years now. This year is an exciting one for them, as it's their first year selling at the Boulder Farmers' Market. Thanks to the support of the Boulder community at large, they've increased their workable soil this year by 75 percent. They now have a self-serve stand where they sell what they grow (mostly from seed), without spraying, on their four working acres and look forward to the day they have the full-service stand open and can take their acreage off the grid with solar power.

Natalie moved here in 1992 from the east, to be a ski bum (sound familiar anyone?). She had spent her childhood summers on a family farm in Switzerland and always knew she wanted to be a farmer. Jason also gained a deep respect for the land at an early age. His ancestors moved to the Eldorado Springs area of Colorado in 1864. Since then the family has worked in many areas of the county, either on their own property, or helping out other owners. As Jason has worked all around the area, he has observed, more intimately than most, the impact of developers buying increasing quantities of that land.

Natalie and Jason bought and saved their own land from that very misfortune when the developer's permit ran out before he could break ground, and he put the land up for sale. That close call is an added reminder of why they want to always farm their land with integrity. Pesticides aren't an option. "When you put something in the ground it stays there forever," says Natalie. They just bend over and pull out the weeds. Knowing exactly what she's putting into her family's bodies, as well as providing high quality nourishment for the community, is something she believes in.

Natalie is contented to be a steward of the land at last, and she takes the responsibility seriously. As I met with her at their farm she was busy pulling weeds and keeping a dutiful eye on every row. Lucy, their daughter, was also working, developing her fine motor skills by "weeding" in the radish row alongside her mother. While talking with Natalie, the Condon's sense of community became immediately apparent. Isabelle farm corn

Among many notable and obvious ways they serve our community, Natalie served on the Boulder County Food and Agriculture Policy Committee (www.coopext.colostate.edu). The pair works hard to bring their veggies to other developing farmers' markets and like to incorporate youth with their farm whenever possible. Additionally, Jason's family runs a pumpkin patch, Cottonwood Farm (www.cottonwoodfarms.com), at 75th and Arapahoe, where the couple helps out both during the growing season and during the fall season, when the patch is open. "It's a magical place for kids and a great place to work, because you get to introduce kids to how things grow and the equipment used to grow the food they eat, as well as the farm animals," says Natalie.
Last year they took full advantage of a community program, the Farmer Mentor Program from CU. Participating was a pivotal experience for them. The Mentor Program helped them put together a business plan and connected them with endless resources, including Berry Patch Farms (www.berrypatchfarms.com), their acting mentor. Their involvement forced them to dedicate time to the business every week and was central in their gaining the confidence and motivation to expand. For more information on the Farm Mentor Program through Colorado Agriculture Extension (www.coopext.colostate.edu) contact Adrian Card at acard@co.boulder.co.us.

When I asked Natalie about some tips for the busy or traveling family she notes that "Travel is not great for the environment," but "there is always an alternative to buying a non-organic food item." She recommends cold packs for long trips as her favorite parent travel tool. They last for 18 hours and can be filled with any cut fruit or vegetable your kid likes.

Lettuce and beets growing

On everyday living, she says, "If you can't make it to one of the local farmers' markets, there are tricks to buying smart in a grocery store. For example, stick to the outer ring of the store, where the majority of the fresh, least-processed food is located."
Natalie likes to let food speak for itself and doesn't use much butter, syrup or other dressings and therefore doesn't have an extensive grocery store shopping list. She encourages people to ask the farmers their favorite ways to prepare foods and she herself freezes more often than cans because it takes less time.

"Farmers' markets are essential," Natalie says. And she wants to thank the Boulder area population for supporting and embracing the Boulder County Farmers' Markets and for recognizing and being aware of the environmental decision to them.

Natalie and Jason Condon can be reached at isabellefarm@gmail.com or at the Boulder Farmers' Market on Saturdays at the north end of the Market along Canyon and on Wednesdays starting 8/27 (ask at the information booth for their Wed location). Isabelle Farm and their farm stand is located at 10029 Isabelle Road in Lafayette CO (Exactly midway b/w 95th and 287 on the north side of Isabelle Road).