Got peaches? (Parker, Palisade: buy, construction, maintenance)

[jazzlover]

It does look to be a good year for peaches. Unfortunately, developments and subdivisions are decimating the fruit industry in Colorado. Fruit acreage in western Colorado has declined dramatically in the last 20 years, and more orchards are lost to development almost daily. It is reprehensible that this state continues to allow its most valuable and productive agricultural lands to be lost in this way--mostly for the short-term profit of developers.

The same can be said of the Rocky Ford melon-producing region in the Arkansas Valley. That area has lost most of its productive irrigated land to the water grabs of Front Range cities. All you suburbanites in those cities should take a hard look at your bluegrass lawn, and understand that the water to irrigate it was likely expropriated from productive farmers raising the very products that people in this thread are raving about. Way to go, Colorado.

When we can no longer afford the fuel to import our food to Colorado from far off places--well, then, maybe, people will finally pull their heads out of their ***es and realize that we should have done something to protect Colorado's most valuable and productive agricultural land from the rape of subdividing and water grabs. I can remember when relatively agricultural land-poor Colorado actually raised nearly enough crops and livestock to feed itself--we've sure drifted a long way from that. Dumb us.

[delta07]

Jazzlover, I couldn't agree with your more (I tried to add to your rep, but it appears that I have to spread the love). My recent move from the Orchard Mesa area of Grand Junction really brings this home. The number of agricultural areas on Orchard Mesa alone that were lost to development (ie. Subdivisions) was appalling! I can't help to think what will happen with the land in the next 20 years. Hopefully, with the rise in fuel prices we will get back to growing our own food and sustaining ourselves.

However, I am excited to be taking a trip to Western Co. in September. Hopefully there will still be some good peaches left for me to bring back home to Oregon!

[winglady]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

It does look to be a good year for peaches. Unfortunately, developments and subdivisions are decimating the fruit industry in Colorado. Fruit acreage in western Colorado has declined dramatically in the last 20 years, and more orchards are lost to development almost daily. It is reprehensible that this state continues to allow its most valuable and productive agricultural lands to be lost in this way--mostly for the short-term profit of developers.

The same can be said of the Rocky Ford melon-producing region in the Arkansas Valley. That area has lost most of its productive irrigated land to the water grabs of Front Range cities. All you suburbanites in those cities should take a hard look at your bluegrass lawn, and understand that the water to irrigate it was likely expropriated from productive farmers raising the very products that people in this thread are raving about. Way to go, Colorado.

When we can no longer afford the fuel to import our food to Colorado from far off places--well, then, maybe, people will finally pull their heads out of their ***es and realize that we should have done something to protect Colorado's most valuable and productive agricultural land from the rape of subdividing and water grabs. I can remember when relatively agricultural land-poor Colorado actually raised nearly enough crops and livestock to feed itself--we've sure drifted a long way from that. Dumb us.

I believed I knew what "curmudgeon" meant, but just looked it up to get the official definition:

cur·mudg·eon (kər-mŭj'ən)
n.
An ill-tempered person full of resentment and stubborn notions.

Dear Jazzlover (self-described "Curmudgeonly Colo. native"),

Lighten up! You'll live a longer and much happier life.

Trust me; your message of what's wrong with growth in our native Colorado has been heard by readers of this Forum loud and clear.

[Ticky909]

I had summadat corn last night, delicious.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by winglady

I believed I knew what "curmudgeon" meant, but just looked it up to get the official definition:

cur·mudg·eon (kər-mŭj'ən)
n.
An ill-tempered person full of resentment and stubborn notions.

Dear Jazzlover (self-described "Curmudgeonly Colo. native"),

Lighten up! You'll live a longer and much happier life.

Trust me; your message of what's wrong with growth in our native Colorado has been heard by readers of this Forum loud and clear.

Maybe the 100 people who read this forum every day have heard it before, but there are a lot of other new people who read it--maybe for the first time. I write partly for them. Yes, I do have a "stubborn notion." This state continues to make serious, and often irreversible decisions that are going to very adversely affect the long-term quality of life for the people who live here. Ignoring it and putting on a "smiley" face doesn't change that, just like someone being raped is probably not going to be buoyed by being told to "have a positive attitude." That will come when the rape stops, and the perp gets what he deserves.

[winglady]

I guess we're just 2 very different personality types.

[2bindenver]

I grill them, skin on, sliced in half, pit removed. Then add ice cream for the under 21 set, and brandy for the plus 21's - best dessert on the grill after s'mores.

[motoracer51]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

It does look to be a good year for peaches. Unfortunately, developments and subdivisions are decimating the fruit industry in Colorado. Fruit acreage in western Colorado has declined dramatically in the last 20 years, and more orchards are lost to development almost daily. It is reprehensible that this state continues to allow its most valuable and productive agricultural lands to be lost in this way--mostly for the short-term profit of developers.

The same can be said of the Rocky Ford melon-producing region in the Arkansas Valley. That area has lost most of its productive irrigated land to the water grabs of Front Range cities. All you suburbanites in those cities should take a hard look at your bluegrass lawn, and understand that the water to irrigate it was likely expropriated from productive farmers raising the very products that people in this thread are raving about. Way to go, Colorado.

When we can no longer afford the fuel to import our food to Colorado from far off places--well, then, maybe, people will finally pull their heads out of their ***es and realize that we should have done something to protect Colorado's most valuable and productive agricultural land from the rape of subdividing and water grabs. I can remember when relatively agricultural land-poor Colorado actually raised nearly enough crops and livestock to feed itself--we've sure drifted a long way from that. Dumb us.

What the hell does the state have to do with privately owned property?

I own ~30 acres in Palisade, and if I want to sell my land to the highest bidder upon my retirement, I will do that.

We don't need the state telling private property owners what they can and can't do with their own land.

[jkcoop]

Peach salsa is good.... I got my peaches at King Soopers last night. They also had the corn which we came home and put on the grill. They and the hamburgers were almost done (my poor husband grilling in the rain!) when the tornado sirens went off.

There was NO WAY we were abandoning that corn! He said he looked around, didn't see anything and kept going.

[jkcoop]

Originally Posted by 2bindenver

I grill them, skin on, sliced in half, pit removed. Then add ice cream for the under 21 set, and brandy for the plus 21's - best dessert on the grill after s'mores.

That sounds wonderful! But....for the 21+ set, why not brandy AND ice cream