If you’ve ever wandered around City Park Farmer’s Market in the spring, chances are you’ve seen Dave Rippe selling asparagus on behalf of his family farm, Kiowa Valley Organics.
Though Rippe isn’t at the market year round, his Roggen farm has become known for having the best asparagus around, and the only organic option at the market. Personally, I met Rippe over 10 years ago at the once bustling Union Station Farmers Market, and have been connected with him and his family ever since. He donates produce to food banks, and helps the community when he can.
Now, Kiowa Valley Organics needs our help after a fire wiped out the entire production facility, including literally tons of produce, a fork lift, and other equipment they use to package the organic vegetables for Whole Foods and other purveyors around town. Not to mention the building itself.
“The fire came as a shock yesterday and I have reached out to them offering assistance,” said chef Tim Kuklinski of Bistro Vendome, who works with Rippe to source produce. “We all know that farming is difficult and occasionally we hear of crop loss, water troubles, or other hardships that befall the people who grow our food.
“What makes Kiowa Valley different is the personal connection many of us have with them and the totality of the destruction. When their asparagus is available, it is the only asparagus we buy and we are sure to put it on the menu every year. I sincerely hope anyone and everyone who can will lend a hand because if Kiowa Valley is not able to continue the whole of the Denver food scene will feel it.”
Kuklinski isn’t alone in the sentiment. City Park Farmers Market issued a video showcasing the devastation, and a call for action to help the farm with donations. Within 24 hours the team had raised over $30,000 for Kiowa Valley, and the help keeps coming.
The fire occurred inside the farm’s production facility around July 9, and possibly happened due to lightning or an electrical issue (nothing is confirmed, the insurance company will dictate the cause). The estimated loss is over $500,000. While yes, the farm has insurance, the most it may cover is half, and that gap leaves the farm facing an uncertain future. Already farms on the Eastern plains this year had dealt with hail, flooding, and an unseasonably hot spring, which all affected the produce.
Other restaurants have been long term customers of Kiowa Valley too, including The Plimouth, Potoger, and Coperta. At Coperta in Uptown, owner Paul C. Reilly said they’ve been working with Rippe at Kiowa Valley since 2018, and there’s no spring without that asparagus.
“Spring garlic, bloomsdale spinach, Croft tomatoes, Toohey eggplant, and Kiowa asparagus; there are few things I can think of that sound the cannons for the growing season as loud,” added Coperata’s chef de cuisine, Kenny Minton III. “From their unwavering quality of produce to their unmatched joy of hospitality, there are few things all year that I look forward to more than working with David. We spend the first four months of the year planning all the dishes we want to do. Simply put, Coperta isn’t Coperta without Kiowa.”
Whether you know the farm team personally or just love supporting local agriculture, consider donating to Kiowa Valley as they navigate this unfortunate loss. We’re very lucky to have them in Colorado, and hope to keep them going for years to come.
