Learning from nature
Old Snowmass, Colorado
Shining Mountains Farm (SMF) is owned and operated by Cooper Means. The land is leased from Pitkin County as a part of their “Agricultural Lease Program”. The project began in 2016 and has been a testing ground for agricultural techniques adapted to the unique climate of the Roaring Fork Valley.
SMF has continually experimented with soil conservation techniques including rotational grazing, green manure and cover cropping, no-till seeding, and Keyline plowing, while becoming one of the only current grain producers in the valley.
The strict exclusion of pesticides and herbicides, along with minimal tillage, careful crop planning, intentional irrigation, and animal integration has greatly increased soil fertility.
Cooper Means
Cooper Means, owner of Shining Mountains Farm, was born in the Roaring Fork Valley and has spent the last 15+ years dedicated to food production in the region through diversified farming, education, experimentation, stewardship and systems integration.
Cooper became a Certified Generalist at Sustainable Settings at age 11 and has since obtained a bachelor’s degree in Regenerative Food Systems Design, trained with Holistic Management International, The Permaculture Research Institute, CSU Extension, and in various biodynamics and systems design trainings across the South West.
As Agriculture Director of the The Farm Collaborative, Cooper spearheaded development of its farming systems from 2014 to 2022. He’s been a key part of the creation of three farms in Western Colorado and has supported the development of many more.
Today, Cooper remains actively involved in the agricultural health of the Roaring Fork Valley through food production, systems development, community-building and land management consultation.
