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The 4th Annual Tour de Farms
Sunday, September 5th
Sunday, September 5th
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This year, riders have two routes to choose from – a leisurely 5 mile in-town short route tour and a 30 mile long route loop in the Animas Valley. The Tour will feature presentations from farmers and garden directors and share ways you can support area efforts to strengthen our local food system. The Tour will travel along the Durango bike path system and county ‘safe-routes’ and culminate in a delicious seasonal lunch made by Zia Taqueria. aThis year’s Tour de Farms will feature two routes:
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Short route – A 5-mile, in-town ride to five sites in and around the Historic Downtown area. Riders will traverse through town on the Animas River Trail and bike friendly roads to visit several cutting edge urban agriculture projects and hear brief presentations about our growing local food movement. Included are the City Hall Garden, a Community Garden on Alamo St., and several backyard gardens. The tour will end at the Smiley Building. This ride meets at the Smiley Building at 8:30am.
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Long route – Tour de Farms will lead a 30 mile ride for proficient cyclists interested in touring farms in La Plata County. The ride will visit Linnaea Farms, James Ranch, and a family garden site. (Recommended for proficient riders only, aged 12 and over). Please meet at 7:30am at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
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Riders will sample delicious, locally grown farm products and will learn about urban and rural farming and gardening, eating seasonally, preserving fresh, local foods for the winter and how to actively support local food and agricultural efforts. The event will culminate with a celebration at The Smiley Building with live music by Wild Mountain and a delicious seasonal lunch by Zia Taqueria, with beer and root beer from Carver’s. Commemorative glasses are included.
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All riders must be registered. Come prepared with your bike, rain jacket, helmet and water. First aid and support cyclists will be on hand throughout the tour for assistance. Registration is $20. Space is limited and advance reservation is required. For more information about the Tour de Farm contact the Event Organizers – Darcy Craig (darcyLcraig@gmail.com) of Healthy Lifestyle La Plata, or Darrin Parmenter (parmenterdm@co.laplata.co.us) of Colorado State University Extension – La Plata County. You can also call (970) 382-6464 for more information.
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Registration forms are attached and are also available online at www.healthylifestylelaplata.org. For the past three years, tours have filled up rather quickly, so if you are interested I would highly recommend registering early rather than later.