On Saturday, September 2, 2023, the Gilpin County Community Center transformed into a bustling hub of local culture and commerce for the Holistic Homestead Farmers Market. This event brought together friends and families for a day of community outreach, mouth-watering treats, and a chance to explore the finest local produce and crafts. The event happens at the Community Center on the first Saturday of the month, March through November.

Skeen Acres: One of the star attractions was Skeen Acres, a local chicken farm that showcased the sale of chicken by the pound and dog treats in the form of chicken feet. Their poultry farm is located in the heart of Gilpin County and produces just under 400 chickens per year. They strive to create a quality product that is natural, healthy, and sustainable. Their chickens are processed by hand and packaged onsite. You can learn more about them and their offerings at info@skeenacres.com.

Pakamana’s Natural Hemp Products: For those seeking holistic health solutions, Pakamana was a must-visit. Carol Ly, CEO and founder, handcrafts anti-aging CBD serums and makes her own unique version of tiger balm, infused with cayenne, cinnamon, ginger, and kava kava. She makes edible tinctures, topicals, and natural remedies that are primarily organic, wildcrafted, and preservative-free, ensuring the utmost quality. To learn more about Pakamana, reach out to them at contact@pakamana.com.

Fresh Produce: The Holistic Homestead provided cucumbers, carrots, zucchini, corn, green beans, and Japanese plums as healthy choices for dinner, many of which are grown here in Gilpin County. They offer a community share program for individuals or families interested in receiving fresh, local produce. For $40 a month, you get two boxes of hand-picked produce per month. One yearly share was offered for the winner of the pie contest. Corporate sponsorship makes it possible for the nonprofit to host farmers markets, health fairs, and the food share program. The Holistic Homestead is located at 972 Golden Gate Canyon Road, Black Hawk, Colorado 80422, and more information can be found at https:// theholistichomestead.org/. They also offered a raffle basket containing some donations from vendors for $6 a ticket and $20 for five tickets. I bought five tickets and won the basket!

CSU Extension: The CSU Extension booth provided valuable information on emergency preparedness, wildfire mitigation, and high alpine gardening, serving as a resource for the community in these critical areas. The CSU Extension in Gilpin County helps mountain residents improve their quality of life by offering a website, classes and programs that provide unbiased, research-based information on forestry, wildfire, wildlife, mountain gardening, noxious weeds and many other issues. Through their 4-H programs, they help youth develop life skills through leadership opportunities. More info can be found here: https://gilpin.extension. colostate.edu/.

Community Engagement: The Friends of Gilpin County Community Center (FGCC) were also on hand, distributing literature on the recent mill levy and discussing their vital role in the community. They depend on grants from United Power and donations from generous locals. Volunteers are being sought for the upcoming Spooky Stroll event, which happens in October at the Gilpin County Community Center in October and features a trick or treat trail, hayrides, and prizes. Formed in 2020 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, FGCC helps fund some of the supporting programs at the Community Center. FGCC uses the fair as an opportunity to find volunteers and grow their volunteer program. The group also sponsored the event by supplying the bouncy castle.

Gilpin County Fair Ambassador Scholarship: Scholarships funded by the Gilpin Archwood 4-H will be awarded to one student from each class, with the chosen senior receiving the largest scholarship of $500. Selection will be based on community involvement, public speaking, and well-rounded academic performance. Applications will be accepted from 11/15/23 - 1/15/24 to become a Gilpin County Fair Ambassador.

Kids’ Delight: Inside the Community Center gym, children reveled in the blow-up castle and obstacle course. The Gilpin County School Cheerleaders added a dash of sweetness with cotton candy to satisfy the young and young at heart.

Sweet Treats: No visit to the market was complete without indulging in some ice cream from the MC2 truck. With unique flavors like taro tea, snozzberry, and vegan almond joy, it was a sweet journey for the taste buds.

Pie Contest Champion: The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the pie contest. While only two pies were entered, the competition was fierce. Three judges scored the pies on overall appearance, taste, impression, and creativity. Mason Seidling emerged victorious with a score of 256 to 251 for his delectable lemon peach meringue pie beating the pecan pie entry. Congratulations, Mason!

The Holistic Homestead Farmers Market was a vibrant celebration of our community’s spirit and creativity. As we savored local flavors, listened to local musicians, and supported local businesses, it became clear that Gilpin County knows how to come together and enjoy the best of life. Mark your calendars for next month’s market on October 7. You won’t want to miss it!