Glen Austin of Austin Farms has been growing food on his land with his family since the 1970s. Innovative farming methods and attention to the highest quality are at the forefront of the Austin Farm food production model. The whole family is involved in the the farming operation at each step from planting and pruning to and harvesting and packing. Orchards cover 10 of their 20 acres of land along with annual vegetables. The farm grows raspberries, blackberries, 9 kinds of peaches, 12 kinds of apples, plums, apricots, pears. We recently visited Glen and family and were invited in the house to a Thanksgiving like spread of food and a house full of grandsons and extended family. In talking with Glen it is apparent that he loves his life, loves farming, and cares deeply about his community.

Fruit Share
In a partnership with Austin Farm in Paonia, CO, Weathervane Farm will again offer a fruit share this season. The fruit share is a great way to support your local fruit grower and experience the bounty of Colorado’s fruit growing region. The share is designed to provide you with a diversity of fruits throughout the season including cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, melons, pears and apples. The share will average 5 lbs of fruit a week. All fruit is responsibly grown, either organically or without the use of synthetic chemicals.  The season will run for 16 weeks from June 28th to October 11th. The cost of the share is $225. Download sign-up PDF.
 
Share pick-up times are at the farm Fridays 5-7pm and Saturdays from 9am-5pm or at the Salida Farmers Market from 8am-12:30pm.  Each member is responsible to arrange pickup of the share during the designated pick-up times.  You may wish to take turns picking-up with other CSA members or ask a friend if you are away.  If you let us know, we are happy to hold your share until Tuesday.  Any unclaimed shares are never wasted.  We deliver shares to local charities or will recycle them back through the farm by feeding our staff, worms, pigs, and chickens.

Working Memberships
This is a great way to connect with the land and learn more about farming in this area. To fulfill a working member contract we ask for a 2 hour commitment each week for 12 weeks of the share season, which lasts 16 weeks. In exchange you will receive $75 off your total share amount. We have a limited number of working shares available. Please contact us before signing up to make arrangements. 

Aficionados of local agriculture are a key element of our farming model. We are open to any creative solutions regarding payment for the food we produce.