The Giving Groves

The Giving Groves. . What did you eat today? Where did your food come from? For most of us, the origin of our food is a mystery, For the pioneers of early Fruita, nearly all of their food was grown or raised locally. From the 1880s to the mid-1900s, these orchards helped sustain the settlers way of life., Pioneers intentionally settled here on this fertile floodplain. They took advantage of the valley's sheltering cliffs, its reliable water supply, and a climate warmer than the higher valleys to the west. They employed flood irrigation, horse and plow, and hours of hard labor., Their efforts were rewarded. The orchards provided a food source for Fruita's families and evolved into a valuable commodity. Apples, pears, plums, peachés, apricots, cherries, walnuts, and almonds grown here were sold or bartered elsewhere to obtain food and supplies unavailable in this isolated settlement., The orchards are part of the Fruita Rural Historic District, listed in 1997 on the National Register of Historic Places. Maintained using traditional methods, they still provide a source of food, as well as a living connection between local residents and their history and culture. They serve today as an outdoor classroom, providing lessons on cultivating food in a way harmonious to the landscape, and teaching us that working with the environment now is an investment in the future., Captions , (Photo #1) The orchards of early Fruita residents such as Michael Valentine ("Tine") Oyler required long hours of care. In turn, by 1920 their orchards had become very productive, giving back sustainance and a source of income. , (Photo #2) Park staff and volunteer crews replace dying trees with new starts, so that future generations may enjoy and learn from these historic orchards.