Farm
Turtle Lake Community Farm
This is our two-acre, out-of-town site, located near the actual Turtle Lake about four miles out of town. At this site we have two greenhouses where we grow year round to supplement our lunches, an orchard of over 100 fruiting trees and shrubs, chemical-free and happy beehives and many organic gardens. We provide work-study internships here and host a variety of workshops and classes on Permaculture, organic gardening and wild food foraging.
How do we get to the farm?
- from downtown Durango, head north on Main Ave for about 1.5 miles
- take left on 25th St.
- stay on 25th St for approximately 3 miles (it will turn into Junction St, then County Rd. 204)
- take right on County Rd. 205 and go 1.5 miles
- you will pass a lake (Turtle Lake, also known as Chapman Lake on maps)
- the community farm will be on your right-hand side, on the corner of CR 205 and Misty Lane.
- you should see a yellow mailbox on your left hand side (you can park in the driveway here)
- (if you see Falls Creek Circle you've gone too far).
- please be mindful of where you park (see parking section below)
Where can we park?
After taking a right at Misty Lane, take an immediate left into the gravel parking area and park in front of the growing dome, dirt pile, compost bins, or "Turtle Parking" sign. Or you can park in the driveway at the yellow mailbox (left off of CR 205 - See below) Please be mindful of not going past the telephone pole by the fence because this is the beginning of our neighbors' private property.
Q: Where else can we park?
A: Please park in the driveway on the left side of County Rd 205 (across the street from the farm) at the yellow mailbox addressed 1511.
Farm to School Program
Turtle Lake Refuge has been involved with the local Farm to School group since its conception in 2005. We grow organic greens for all ten public schools in Durango, the Southern Ute Indian Academy as well as other schools in the area. In addition to the produce we provide for the salad bars, we also provide granola for the breakfast program and other treats for special occasions. We offer educational workshops to the public school systems and other school groups focusing on sustainable living practices such as identifying wild edible foods, sprouting and growing local food all year long in the greenhouses.
