When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, it felt like the ground had been pulled out from under us at Rocky Ridge. We had worked so hard to build something special here in Cortez, Colorado—raising heritage pork, and grass-fed Wagyu beef with a commitment to regenerative practices. But suddenly, everything we’d built was in jeopardy.
The first blow came when the farmers markets shut down and restaurants closed their doors. Our usual outlets for selling our products dried up almost overnight. Then, feed prices began to skyrocket, and with our income plummeting, we had to make the hardest decision of our lives. We simply couldn’t afford to keep all the animals, so I had to sell off nearly every one of them. Watching those Mangalitsa, and Berkshire pigs, along with our Wagyu cattle leave the farm was heartbreaking. These were animals we’d raised with care, but in the end, I had to hold on to only the most irreplaceable ones—the ones that represented our future.
Even after that painful decision, the challenges just kept coming. With fewer animals to care for, I thought we might be able to catch our breath, but then we hit another roadblock. Butchers were booked out for two years, making it nearly impossible to process the few animals we still had kept back for harvest. When we finally secured a slot, I thought we’d caught a break, but the processor botched the job. The cuts were sloppy, the packaging was a mess, and we lost $5,000 worth of meat that we couldn’t sell. It was a devastating blow—everything seemed to be falling apart.
But then, in the spring of 2024, an opportunity came along that changed everything. 100 acres of run-down pastureland across the fence from the farm came up for lease. It had been neglected for years—the soil was compacted and lifeless, and invasive species had taken over. It didn’t look like much to most people, but I saw potential in that land. I knew that if we could restore it, it might be our way to rebuild not just the land, but the entire farm.
Restoring those 100 acres will be no easy task. The soil was in bad shape, but we were determined to use the principles of regenerative agriculture to heal it. We started by planting cover crops—legumes, grasses, and brassicas—hoping they’d break up the compacted soil, fix nitrogen, and add some much-needed organic matter. It was a slow process, and there were plenty of moments when I wondered if it would really work. Praying the seed would take and the small amount of irrigation water we had would be enough to get a foot hold. As the season passed, I began to see signs of life returning to the land. The soil started to soften, earthworms came back, and the cover crops began to take hold.
As the land began to heal, so did Rocky Ridge Farm. The animals we’d kept through the darkest days of the pandemic will become the foundation of our renewed efforts to rebuild our herds and flocks. The lessons we learned during that tough time—the importance of resilience, adaptability, and our commitment to sustainable practices—became the guiding principles of our recovery.
Now, as I look out over those 100 acres, I see a land that’s slowly coming back to life. It’s a symbol of everything we’ve been through—of how we took the challenges thrown our way and turned them into opportunities. Our story isn’t just about surviving the pandemic; it’s about renewal, about taking what we’ve learned and using it to build something even stronger.
Rocky Ridge Farm is still standing, still surviving, and I know that we’re on the path to a brighter future. The journey isn’t over, but I’m more confident than ever that we’re moving in the right direction, carrying forward a legacy of sustainability and resilience for generations to come.
I can’t begin to express how deeply grateful I am for the people who stood by us during our toughest times. To our friends, family, customers, and community—your unwavering support and belief in us made all the difference. When everything seemed uncertain, your loyalty and encouragement gave me the strength to keep going. You didn’t just help us survive; you became a part of the very fabric of Rocky Ridge Farm. I want you to know that you are essential to our future. We wouldn’t be here without you, and together, I know we’ll continue to nurture this land, uphold our values, and keep Rocky Ridge Farm a place of hope, resilience, and growth for many years to come.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Your Farmer
Hannah
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