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Away From It All

After a Century of Dedicated Stewardship, the McKenzie Family is Selling Their Farm. But First, a Harvest for Their Community.

The sound of tire tracks on a gravel road always lowers the shoulders. You cross over a wooden bridge with a strong flowing creek underneath it and the smile gets wider. The sweet scent of a field of alfalfa guides you to the call of Kingbirds while above you three hawks circle in a thermal. All of it signals what you intuitively feel, this must be the place. 

These are the sights and sounds from the McKenzie Farm. All that is majestic about the Front Range is encapsulated on this 80-acre estate just 2.5 miles from downtown Boulder. To the west, the towering Long’s Peak is a full stop on the sentence of continuous peaks. To the east are rolling green fields. It is rare to have a gem of bucolic fields, abundant water and vibrant soil, just a few short minutes to Pearl Street.  

As we all find our equilibrium in this unfolding post-covid new-normal reality, many of us have been drawn to the solace of open spaces like McKenzie Farm to find a better true north. 

Such was the case with Andy and Catherine Burgess, the real estate agents representing the magnificent McKenzie Family Farm. They had an idea about combining corporate social responsibility with this rich land to help reduce the high local pandemic food insecurity.  

The McKenzie Farm Estate has been in the McKenzie family since the late 1800s when it was purchased by Neil D. McKenzie from the legendary surveyor FV Hayden who surveyed much of the West, including what is now Yellowstone Park. “The soil here is extremely rich, people have stated that you’ve got the best soil in Boulder!” states Neil McKenzie, namesake of his great grandfather.

When the Burgess’ asked Neil if they could utilize the property’s fertile land to provide food for the community and showcase its bounty, the McKenzies charitably agreed, and the Food Security Project was born.

Burgess Group | Compass provided a substantial donation to Community Food Share to support hiring a farmer, Katie Ketchum. Community Food Share is also contributing financially to this project, as well as managing the farmer and distributing produce. Boulder-based public benefit corporation Boundless Landscapes, which advises on, builds and plants micro-farms, is sharing their valuable farm tools and connections, while non-profit Earth’s Table is mentoring farmer Katie.

It is an under-reported fact that more than 46,000 residents in Boulder and Broomfield Counties do not have enough food, and 12 percent of those people are children. The Food Security Project initiative leverages the McKenzie property to provide for those in need. 

Farmer Katie is growing over 20 crops with 45 different varieties. Prior to planting crops, Community Food Share surveyed the community to find out which fresh produce items were in most demand and discovered that tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and cucumbers were needed most.

“One of the things I appreciate most about this job is our ability to grow food on underutilized land. It feels like a good use of resources,” states Farmer Katie. 

The Burgess’ agree, “If everyone contributes what they can, we will make a huge difference in the fight to eliminate local and national pandemic food insecurity.” 

The hard work from so many community partners has paid off. So far more than 2,615 pounds of locally grown food has been grown on less than an acre, then donated and distributed. The funds raised have provided nearly 38,000 meals to the community.

On a recent balmy summer evening, the Burgess’ hosted Boulder community members to celebrate the summer harvest and the success of the project. As the fiddle played and the square dancing began, the sounds of laughter pollinated the air. People danced with gratitude for the delicious food that this land can grow.

CommunityFoodShare.org

BurgessGroupRealty.com

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