Had I known just how much fun it would be to explore & volunteer at Rock Bottom Ranch, I would have ventured into this inspiring world of sustainable agriculture long ago.  I am amazed at just how much happens there on any given day & how much I am able to & see learn as soon as I set foot on the property.   Did you know that goats can help eradicate thistles by eating & actually enjoying the spiny part of the plant?    Living in the same area as the goats is the most adorable little piglet, the fastest growing animal I have ever seen.  Blink your eyes & he has gained 10 pounds.  Along with the horses, hens, roosters, pigs & goats, Rock Bottom Ranch also has a beautiful garden where a bountiful array of fruits, vegetables & medicinal herbs are taking root.  Would you believe that tomato plants really can do very well when planted laying down on their sides?  And have you ever heard of The Three Sisters?  This is when corn, beans & squash are planted as companions, which actually helps them survive & thrive.  A concept that originated with the Native Americans, the cornstalks serve as bean poles, the beans add nitrogen to the soil, and the ground cover of the squash keep the soil moist while inhibiting weed growth.  How cool is that?  There are so many reasons to come out to the ranch.  Not only is it set in a beautiful valley, but it reminds me of a simpler time, before big industry, when the food we put on our table was grown and raised with integrity and on local soil.  I’m very much looking forward to my first bee keeping class and can’t wait to see if the grape vines actually take hold.  The ranch also offers an area for community gardening where camaraderie & idea sharing is encouraged.  

Because Rock Bottom Ranch is under the Aces umbrella, whose mission it is to educate for environmental responsibility, the public is welcome with wide open arms to visit, learn & participate.  It’s hard to find words to express how wonderful the staff is.  Co-managers Robin, Mike and Allison, along with their awesome staff of educators work the land and animals tirelessly each & every day of the year while still managing to devote a good portion of their time to maintaining the Aces mission statement “to inspire a life-long commitment to the earth by educating for environmental responsibility, conserving and restoring the balance of natural communities, and advancing the ethic that the Earth must be respected and nurtured.”  These exemplary stewards of the land amaze me with their energy, resourcefulness, patience & commitment to a greater good.  Run don’t walk, peddle, paddle, saddle up, or drive if you must.  But do visit this 113 acre slice of heaven.  Located in Basalt between the Roaring Fork River & the Rio Grand bike trail, it’s easy to find.  If you happen to be there on a Wednesday, be sure to come visit me in the garden.  While we chew on some freshly picked lettuce, I’ll show you just how well those sideways tomato plants are doing. 

Do you have an ACES experience you would like to share? 
Email us at aces(at)aspennature.org, we would love to hear your stories!