Leaning Tree Farms, located on two properties south of Bayfield, is creating a legacy for future generations.
Like its sister company, La Plata Lavender, Leaning Tree is run by Jim and Lorna Bulwan.
“We’ve taken a property that has been in our family since 1970 … to have our kids see the value of the ag, so that when we’re gone…”
“...It’ll carry on,” Jim finished.
The Bulwans raised 4H animals for 19 years with their children, he said.
“My son left for a while and now he’s back,” Jim said. “He wanted to continue this business and get it going for generations to come, so his kids will have the same experience … that he loved.”
While La Plata Lavender focuses on its namesake, Leaning Tree raises steers and pork, he said. The farms are on their way toward implementing regenerative farming practices.
We’re not quite there yet because we still need more animals,” Jim said. “But we’re growing the company. It’s coming along.”
In fact, the lavender business sprang to life from a half acre of hay ground that the Bulwans couldn’t initially irrigate.
“It was ‘OK, what can we do to utilize that?’” he said. “So we put in a drip system and we started growing lavender and making products. It makes another thing we can do with our land. That’s what we’re after: trying to make our land productive.”
At the Durango Farmers Market, Leaning Tree sells a variety of cuts of pork and beef, and also dog treats made from the organs. The Bulwans also have contracts for whole, half and quarter animals.
“What we offer that’s sometimes a little different than most people is we include the delivery,” Jim said. “We’ll deliver it after it’s processed with no charge.”
ngonzales@durangoherald.com
