Historic Paonia Orchard Protected from Development

Colorado West Land Trust partners with local farmers to conserve century-old organic orchard

Mar. 12, 2026 at 2:11am

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Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT) has permanently conserved an organic orchard in Paonia, Colorado's North Fork Valley with roots dating back to the early 1900s. The property has been placed in a conservation easement, which permanently limits subdivision and development on the land. CWLT partnered with Dirt Capital Partners and local producers the Kropp family to purchase the land and ensure it remains in agricultural use.

Why it matters

The conservation of this historic orchard helps preserve the agricultural character and local food system of the North Fork Valley. As development pressures increase in the region, protecting productive farmland and supporting regenerative farming practices is crucial for maintaining the area's unique cultural and environmental identity.

The details

The orchard sits between properties used by the Kropp family's First Fruits Organic Farms. When the land went up for sale with plans for subdivision, the Kropps partnered with Dirt Capital Partners to purchase it instead. Dirt Capital now owns the land and leases it to the Kropps, with the goal of the family eventually buying the property outright. The conservation easement ensures the land will remain in agricultural use in perpetuity.

  • The orchard has roots dating back to the early 1900s.
  • The Kropp family has been growing fruit in the North Fork Valley for nearly 50 years.

The players

Colorado West Land Trust (CWLT)

A nonprofit land trust that works to conserve land and protect natural resources in western Colorado.

Dirt Capital Partners

A company that partners with regenerative farmers to facilitate land access and acquisition, with the goal of keeping farmland in agricultural production.

Kropp Family

Owners of First Fruits Organic Farms, a longtime farming operation in the North Fork Valley.

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What they’re saying

“This project is about keeping land in agriculture, water in production, and farms connected to their communities. By partnering with Dirt Capital and local producers, we're using innovative tools to protect a working orchard that contributes to the local food system and the character of the North Fork Valley.”

— Ilana Moir, Conservation Director, Colorado West Land Trust

“We work together with regenerative farmers on land access and land acquisition, with the goal of ensuring farmland stays farmland. In this case, it was important to preserve productive soils and a viable agricultural operation that's part of the economic and cultural fabric of the North Fork Valley. Partnering with local producers who will ultimately own and steward the land ensures it remains in the hands of the people invested in its long-term success and in the future of their community.”

— Dominick Grant, Dirt Capital Partners

“Our dream is to buy it and make it part of our long-term farming operation. But even if we weren't able to, the most important thing is that the land will stay farmland. That beautiful farm ground near town won't turn into houses.”

— Kris Kropp, First Fruits Organic Farms

What’s next

The Kropp family plans to eventually purchase the land from Dirt Capital Partners, ensuring the historic orchard remains in the hands of local producers committed to the long-term success of the North Fork Valley's agricultural community.

The takeaway

This conservation effort demonstrates the power of innovative public-private partnerships to protect productive farmland and support regenerative agriculture, even as development pressures mount. By keeping this century-old orchard in agricultural use, the North Fork Valley's unique character and local food system will be preserved for generations to come.