Ela Family Farms Sustainably Maintains a Century Farming Tradition in Colorado
In partnership with: Colorado Department of Agriculture
On the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, Ela Family Farms has cultivated delectable fruit for more than a century. Founded in 1907 and now led by fourth-generation farmer Steve Ela, the 100-acre orchard is a model of organic agriculture, environmental stewardship and community connection.
Ela Family Farms became a 100% organic-certified orchard two decades ago, but Ela assures the feat took time, research and curious cooperation.
“We first shifted to organic with peaches and pears, then moved to certifying apples and so on,” Ela says. “It was a 10-year venture.”
Environmental Evolution
The farm has always prioritized environmental stewardship in some form, with Ela acknowledging his grandfather, uncle and others for their innovative improvements.
Ela says Colorado Department of Agriculture-supported research projects have also empowered Ela Family Farms to make better agriculture decisions. He encourages fellow farmers to pursue opportunities aided by funding from CDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program.
“Once the farm became organic-certified, we shifted our approach to view the farm as a complete ecosystem – where we need to manage the whole and not just the parts,” says Ela, who has a master’s degree in soil science from the University of Minnesota. “That mindset led us toward more soil building, putting in solar panels, further digging into our insect and disease programs, and figuring out how we could use our off-grade as well as our primo fruit.”
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Instead of conventional pesticides, Ela Family Farms utilizes pheromone mating disruption and natural predators to manage pests. This approach maintains ecological balance and reduces chemical inputs.
The orchard also employs complex cover cropping with legumes, such as alfalfa and clover, to enhance soil fertility and structure. These practices helped increase soil organic matter to between 3.5% and 5%, well above regional norms. Efficient drip and sprinkler irrigation systems conserve water, while solar panels supply about 80% of the farm’s electricity needs.
Furthermore, Ela Family Farms is a near-zero waste operation. For example, blemished or surplus fruit is transformed into jams, applesauce, dried fruits and ciders, among other artisanal goods. And the remaining scraps are repurposed as animal feed for a neighboring pig farm.
“It’s funny how you take those small incremental steps and then, suddenly, look back and realize how close you are to what originally seemed impossible,” Ela says. Nowadays, he’s confident that more innovative improvements are indeed possible.
Consumer Connection
Ela Family Farms grows apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, rhubarb and tomatoes. These products find their way to the tables of Coloradans via farmers markets, community supported agriculture (CSAs), restaurants and retailers, such as Marczyk Fine Foods in Denver. Kevin Hickman, Marczyk’s director of supply chain, says stocking shelves with Ela Family Farms’ products grants customers access to the best local produce.
“Ela Family Farms is a little higher in elevation in Hotchkiss,” Hickman says. “Because fruit gets direct sun and warmth during the day and slightly cooler night temperatures compared to other local growers, the fruits’ sweetness and juiciness uniquely develops.”
Marczyk’s customers purchased 12,855 pounds of Ela Family Farms produce in 2024, plus hundreds of pints of an exclusive ice cream called Ela Apple Cider Float.
“We actually feel like our customers are part of the farm because what they buy changes what we grow,” Ela says. “And the farmers market experience isn’t just about selling fruit. It’s about getting to know people and sharing in each other’s lives. That makes the hard work much more interesting and worthwhile.”
Robin Woolums has purchased Ela Family Farms’ fruit via the market and CSA program for about 25 years.
“I’ve learned so much about growing fruit because Steve freely shares his abundance of knowledge,” she says.
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Seasonal Support
Woolums also learned how essential the H-2A visa program is to maintain the local and nationwide agriculture labor force, allowing for U.S. farms to temporarily hire foreign workers to assist with harvest.
“It speaks volumes that dedicated seasonal employees work at Ela Family Farms year after year – this family farm treats all like family,” Woolums says.
Ela enjoys sharing the important role the H-2A workers play in Ela Family Farms, ensuring the family farm continues to see successful harvests season after season.
“The H-2A workers who come to our farm are skilled, dependable and hardworking,” Ela says. “They help ensure we meet tight harvest windows and uphold the quality our customers expect. Their role is vital to our success and has been for many years. Without them, our fruit would not get harvested and our farm would have failed.”
To learn more about Ela Family Farms, visit elafamilyfarms.com.