Aaron Perry
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Sydney Steinberg and her son Harrison discuss Colorado Rooted, a family-friendly non-profit offering “Garden in a Box” and “Orchard in a Box” products across the Front Range of Colorado. An effort to cultivate Colorado’s urban canopy and food forests, Colorado Rooted home-delivers these boxes to doorsteps in a 100 mile radius. The organization is also committed to help plant 1,000,000 trees with families, and organizes hiking and tree planting excursions in partnership with the Forest Service. Founded by arborist, Kelly Foster, Colorado Rooted also partners with neighborhood schools, helping them fund-raise with the orchard and garden boxes.
Although this is a Colorado project, Colorado Rooted provides a model that can be replicated in communities throughout the United States and world wide, and the Colorado Rooted team is developing resources to facilitate implementation in other communities! If you’re interested in learning more, you can contact Colorado Rooted via their website or Facebook page (details below).
With her son Harrison, Sydney is also engaging youth, and activating them as environmental stewards and neighborhood resilience catalysts. They tell us that trees represent family and connection – “We plant them for the future, we enjoy them while reading a book, swinging in the shade, and daydreaming in the sunshine.”
Colorado Rooted’s “Orchard in a Box” includes Apple, Cherry, Pear, or Plum trees, along with raspberry or blueberry bushes to plant as companions with them. There are three types of “Garden in a Box” – the standard vegetable box (lettuce, tomato, etc.), the “Salsa Garden Box” (pepper, tomatilla), and the “Herb Box” (oregano, basil, etc.).
RESOURCES:www.coloradorooted.comhttps://www.facebook.com/coloradorooted/https://vimeo.com/408671926
Transcript
(Automatically generated transcript for search engine optimization and reference purposes – grammatical and spelling errors may exist.)
Welcome to the YonEarth Community Podcast. I’m your host, Aaron William Perry. And today,
we are visiting with Sydney Steinberg and her son, Harrison. Hey guys. Hey Aaron, how
are you? Great. How you doing? Doing good. Doing good. Let me share with folks that we’re talking
today about Colorado rooted a 501c3 charity that is seeking to plant 1 million trees in the
state of Colorado. We’ll talk a lot more about what Colorado rooted is up to and what you guys
are doing. And let me give folks a little background. Sydney, you are a mom to three incredible
children and brand consultant helping entrepreneurs build, create and grow key concepts to strengthen brand
awareness. Sydney was hired by Kelly Foster, the founder of Colorado rooted when it was just an
idea on an napkin. And she quickly found her passion centered around healing the planet through
positive actions and sustainable choices. Sydney believes every day we have opportunities to make
small decisions that can help protect our planet and strive to use Colorado rooted as a model to
be used for generations to come. Speaking of generations to come, Harrison, her son is a junior at
Denver School of the Arts. And he’s actually the mastermind behind the garden in a box idea that
we’ll be discussing and is instrumental to bringing youth into the Colorado rooted program.
Harrison’s in the mountain biking and loves being in the mountains, which is very similar to my
son Hunter, who’s the same age. Actually, it turns out. And Sydney and Harrison, I’m so glad we
could connect and have this conversation here today. Yeah, and thanks for having us, Aaron, it’s great
to be here. Absolutely. So why don’t you guys fill us in here? What’s Colorado rooted doing?
And what are you guys up to? It’s so exciting. Yeah, well, Colorado rooted started with a mission
that was pretty simple. Kelly Foster, who is a veteran to the green industry for 30 years,
he wanted to bring trees to families in Colorado. Beyond just sustainability, he wanted to make
sure that every family in Colorado had the opportunity to plant a tree. And so his outreach became,
how do I plant a million trees in Colorado? How do I how do I accomplish this goal? And really the
the strength of Colorado rooted is it’s built on everyone in Colorado. We’re taking this to
be able to take it to schools, to families, to communities, to be able to plant one tree. So if
every family in Colorado plants one tree in their backyard, we easily accomplish our goal.
So that’s kind of yeah. Go ahead. Yeah, so that’s kind of how it started. That’s that’s where the
vision started. You know, I’m so excited. We’re going to be sharing some very special
opportunities for folks right in the Metro Denver Front Range of Colorado. And for our listeners
who are farther away, you guys are also preparing a blueprint that can be adopted in other communities
really all around the country, all around the world. And so I’m really excited that not only are you
on the ground making it happen right here in this amazing state, you’re also developing tools
and resources that can be used by a lot of other communities. Yeah, it’s it’s it’s fundamental. I
mean, Colorado rooted is not a for-profit business in any way. It is Kelly’s vision is that Colorado
rooted belong to the people that the people basically built Colorado rooted so that it’s helpful
and builds the the urban canopy in Colorado rooted. But it’s really belongs to everyone.
So yeah, so that’s basically, you know, the blueprint is that we want to be able to take this
concept and give this to anybody that wants to create this so that they could plant a million
trees in their community as well too. That’s so great. So Harrison, let’s let’s hear from you. What
what is it about this project that has your attention and excitement and how are your peers
responding to this? Well, after being surrounded by Colorado rooted for the past couple of months now,
I had and being in quarantine, we had noticed that it was really hard to start our garden, which
is something that we do annually. So and we realized that it was a difficulty that a lot of people
in Colorado and Denver specifically were having was like sourcing their plants and stuff. So
I decided that it would be great to use our resources being partnered with Kelly and
all of that experience to create a system where people, families with kids and specifically,
specific have access to these vegetables and fruits and stuff that they can plant in their gardens
and it’s a lot easier than if you were to go source at yourself, especially during quarantine
too. Do you stuff like that? So that’s kind of where this idea started. That’s great. And what
sorts of vegetables and fruits are you guys focused on? Well, so we have like three levels right
now. So we have like the garden in a box, which is like the flagship one, I guess you would say.
So that has all sorts of vegetables from lettuce and tomatoes and other stuff like that. And then
there’s the salsa garden and that consists of peppers and tomatoes, I believe, and other stuff
to make sauces. And then there’s also the herb box, which is just like basil and oregano and other
stuff like that. Oh, I love it. This is so great. Yeah. It’s pretty and all of them are delivered
directly to your home. So it just makes it easy to get. Right. Super easy. And where are you guys
sourcing the seeds and the materials you’re putting together for folks? Everything is coming from
local sources in Colorado. So we’ve partnered with several different nurseries to be able to provide
the veggies this year. And then we’ve also teamed with a tree grower who is providing
fruit trees that could be planted as well too. So we have apple and cherry and pear and
plum trees that are all available in, you know, seven to 15 gallon containers that can be
delivered. And they also come with a raspberry bush and a blueberry bush, I believe.
Just kind of depends on what’s available, but right now that’s what we have. So,
but the the origin of box is great because that works towards accomplishing our goal of planting a
million trees in Colorado. But we definitely try to keep our the prices as low as possible
to be able to provide because, you know, planting a tree has so much more value.
We’re planting a garden has so much more value than, you know, what you first think.
Yeah, absolutely. You know, it reminds me there’s this I’ve heard it described as a Chinese proverb
that says the question is when’s the best time to plant a tree? And the answer is 20 years ago.
And then the question is when’s the next best time and the answer is right now. And tree planting
is such a it’s a really a gift of generosity to the future, right? Because many of these trees take
a number of years to mature. And in a way planting trees is one of the biggest gifts we can give to
the future. Not only is it great for future generations of humans, but obviously it’s also
creating more diverse habitat for all kinds of other creatures in the ecosystems where we’re
living. And, you know, one of the things we’re focused on at the Y and Earth community is how can we
in our urban and suburban environments in particular use strategies of food forests, of
permaculture to create much more robust micro ecosystems effectively that yes, are going to provide us
some very healthy fruits vegetables and culinary and medicinal herbs, but are also going to really
boost the ecological vitality in our home, basically our home environment, our neighborhood.
And I’d love what you guys are doing because it it really makes this an easy process for
lots of different families to take that step to to start to create these food forests. And by golly,
as more and more of us are doing this, we can probably in five, 10 years create an incredible
abundance and an amazingly healthy and vibrant living environment in our communities, right?
I imagine it’s really exciting to share that vision with folks.
Yeah, and I mean, a tree has so much value as you were saying. And, you know, like going back to
what you said about planting a tree 20 years ago, when Kelly started Colorado Rooted,
he envisioned and what he ultimately wants is that that tree represents a strong family and a
strong family unit. You know, there are so many climate environmental benefits, which I’m not
downplaying playing at all, but a tree can be so much more. It can be a place of daydreaming.
If you can read a book under a tree, you can swing in the shade with the tree, and you hear those
stories about families that plant the tree. They maybe they move away from their home, but they
go back and that tree still stands and it’s strong and it’s tall, and it brings back all of these
memories from that family unit. And that really is kind of the source of strength for many families
is gathAarong in the backyard, playing baseball, barbecues, sitting outside in the shade, having that.
So a tree is really worth so much more than we really give it value to. And I think Kelly’s vision
for Colorado Rooted is seated deeply in the family and the family system of having access to
these trees to be able to provide that same sort of memories and strength for that as well.
Yeah, that’s so beautiful. I’ll mention too that one of the things we’re excited to explore
partnAarong further with the Y-Earth community as used guys are rolling out the template and
resources for folks to use in other communities on our global resources map, which you can find
on Y-Earth.org. We’re already starting to map locations of ambassadors of projects, and in some
cases of nurseries where trees can be found and so forth in other communities. And so we’re excited
to collaborate to help you guys bring this to the broader world and to help weave together a lot
of these relationships because clearly with this sort of model that connection to nurseries is
really important and making sure that we’re selecting varieties, species that are climate
appropriate for our given regions and so on. And I imagine with Kelly’s background,
particularly as an arborist, he’s got an amazing wealth of knowledge that can really help lots of
families. He does and actually we work with several experts in Colorado that really guide us and
help us and really looking to see what is going to be the best for different communities. We
worked with we’re working with the school. COVID kind of put a little a damper on our plans,
but we were working with the school in Brighton who did a big fundraising project at the beginning
of the year. And they wanted to be able to provide bees and trees to the students. It was kind of
the theme of their of their project. And so we were planned to deliver each one of those students
a tree for them to plant. So we work closely with Brighton to see which which trees they would
prefer to have in that community, you know, which ones they support the most. And so those are
that’s how we pick that. But it all comes from working with experts to to, you know, not plant
a palm tree in Colorado, which obviously won’t grow. But to be able to plant something that is
going to grow and and be successful in in our dry climate or any climate. Yeah, absolutely.
Well, in this whole connection with schools is so powerful and you were sharing with me, Sydney,
that you guys are also thinking about strategies for schools to do fundraising, right?
A lot of schools, a lot of PTAs are are doing fundraisers at different points in the year.
And this just presents a whole new opportunity that is not only a great way for schools to raise
much needed funds, but is, you know, it’s not like selling candy or something. This is bringing
a lot more benefit to the communities where those schools are located.
Yeah, it definitely has so so many strengths in what we’re doing by being able to provide
a tree to each family based on on something that the school has done. So back to my example,
the school that we were working with, they were able to raise all of this.
I think they did a penny drive initially and they raised, you know, several thousand dollars.
And then, you know, they could have definitely bought every kid a t-shirt or they could have,
you know, had an ice cream party, but they really wanted to do something environmentally sound.
So working with us, each child was going to carry home a tree that they could plant.
And there’s so much value in a kid or child planting a tree to see that grow.
There’s actually studies that prove that planting trees or gardens are caring for something,
actually reduce the stress, you know, improves cardiovascular health,
longevity. Every, there are just numerous aspects of taking care of a garden or a tree that
really go far. So being able to give that to a child is definitely really beneficial,
because a lot of children don’t know, don’t experience having a garden, don’t experience
what it means to plant and care for a tree. So being able to take that really can enrich their
lives in many ways. Absolutely. Yeah. In fact, in the book Why on Earth, I talked about how there’s
a lot of research showing that literally just looking at living trees for five to ten minutes,
measurably reduces stress hormones in the bloodstream and engaging with plants, engaging with soil
physically, we know also boosts our immune systems, right? And right now in this time of COVID,
obviously that’s a whole other realm that’s really important to be talking about is
boosting our immunity, boosting our health and well-being and connecting in the garden,
connecting with the soil, connecting with the trees is key and all of that. And of course,
as parents, we also see there’s research showing that spending time at trees and with the
soil improves cognitive performance, right? And we think about how many parents and families are
are trying to, you know, come up with different ways for for students to have a more positive
experience in school and with learning and all of that. And it turns out that getting that time
with the trees with the soil is actually a really effective way to boost that aspect of our lives
as well. And, you know, I’m wondAarong, Harrison, I’m thinking about how much you love
getting in the mountains and mountain biking and all that. And I’m curious, what’s it like for you
when you’re out in the woods and maybe take a break for some water or something in your
surrounded by trees? What’s that like? Well, yeah, that’s always been really important in
studies. One of my favorite parts of being outside in the mountains is definitely on rides that
I do a lot. I have specific parts of the ride that I like to stop at for water that I know I like
to look at what’s around me. And I think that’s really cool and important. But yeah, just like that’s
one of the most rewarding parts about being in the mountains for me is getting to kind of stop what
you’re doing and take in what’s around you. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, my son, as I mentioned
your age, and he also loves getting out in the mountains. And it’s a way we get to, I think,
nourish ourselves, our bodies, our minds, our spirits. And it’s a gift and to be able to bring more
of that kind of forest canopy into our urban and suburban environments is just a huge opportunity
that it strikes me that some of our friends in the science community and even sci-fi community
are talking about like terraforming Mars or whatever. And really, in a way, we have this enormous
need and opportunity right in front of us to terraform parts of Earth. And trees and gardens are
key in that. That really is the foundation of creating a much more sustainable and healthy future,
right? Oh, it’s so important. And I do agree with you. Just using what we have and the resources
that we have to be able to improve our situation and improve our environment is key, rather than
looking outward to a different solution, I think, is fundamental to kind of the human experience
always looking outward instead of inward. You know, it’s an important concept to take in. And I think as,
you know, a nonprofit organization, we really see the opportunity for educating people,
stopping, slowing down. What can you do in your own backyard? What can you do in your home to create
a more sustainable, environmentally friendly environment? You know, what can you stop using?
What are those things instead of looking at it in this very large aspect, which, you know, it starts
at home. Definitely starts at home. That’s another really important thing I think about the garden
in the box is that it gets youth engaged with the environment and also with Colorado
rooted in planting trees is it gets these youth and like families engaged with their environment
ways that they ordinarily would not be. And this action, I think, is going to have
not only the benefit of planting the trees and watching that grow, but also
forming these new things, new ideas in these kids’ minds that’s going to make them more environmentally
conscious as they grow up and for the rest of their lives. Yeah, that’s such a critical point,
right? And I think that the educational systems have really been struggling with this
fact that, you know, books and classrooms and chalkboards, you know, are obviously really
important resources, but they can’t convey all that there is to convey in the human experience
and connecting with living plants, connecting with the soil, with the gardens, is providing
an enormous rich educational experience that in many ways just can’t be accessed through
something like a book. And one could say that one of the biggest weaknesses of modern society is
that so many of us are living really quite disconnected from the natural living biosphere and
things like where our food comes from and so on. And these little gestures of planting trees and
gardens in our in our neighborhoods provide such an enormous solution to that problem.
And as you guys are out there and others are out there engaging more and more thousands and
millions of families, that’s a way to really transform our culture in such a positive manner.
And I’m just I’m so excited about what you guys are doing and really excited to share that
folks can go to ColoradoRooted.com. If you’re in the Metro Denver Boulder Front Range region of Colorado,
you can order the trees, the garden in a box, it’s also garden herb box, orchard in a box,
and you can also order the shirts and hats wherever you’re located. And Harrison and Sydney are
actually wearing the shirt and the hat respectively in reverse order, I guess. And then again for
our friends and why on earth community colleagues all around the country and worldwide, check out
ColoradoRooted.com to get information and to access the blueprints and tools you can use to create
something similar in your community. Again, as Sydney said, some of those resources will be coming
out a bit later in the year, but a great way to engage. You can also find ColoradoRooted
on Facebook, it’s facebook.com ColoradoRooted. So really, really great to have those resources
right at our fingertips right now. And while I’m at it, let me just give a huge shout out to
all of the folks supporting the why on earth community podcast. And this includes a bunch of
people who have joined our monthly giving program. If you haven’t yet joined and you’d like to,
you can go to why on earth.org slash support and join at any level. Additionally, we want to give
a special shout out and thanks to the Lidge Family Foundation, Earth Coast Productions, Patagonia,
Purium, Earthwater Press, and Waylay Waters. And Waylay Waters, as some of you know, has a very
special monthly program for those who want to give at certain levels to why on earth. You’ll receive
monthly shipments of these beautiful handmade hemp aroma therapy and fuse soaking salts. And
you can go to why on earth.org slash Waylay Dash Waters for that. I want to also mention that
Sydney and the team at Colorado rooted are setting forth a very special
code that can be used why on earth. So that when you purchase any of the kits, 10% of that purchase
will be donated to the why on earth community to help us further spread this kind of information
throughout Colorado throughout the United States and worldwide. And Sydney thanks to you and the
team for that. It’s just a wonderful win-win generous gesture you guys are making there. And
I’m so thrilled. I hope that as this is going forward, you’re also going to be encouraging families
to take photos and videos so that there’s also this sense of us sharing the stories of what’s
happening. And I’m curious, have you guys begun playing with that at all? Is that something you’re
seeing some excitement around? Yeah, as we initially launched in December with our first tree
initiative, which was a beautiful Colorado Blue Spruce. It was actually a miniature version of
the traditional huge Blue Spruce for families. But that was our first tree that we offered to
Colorado families. And we had great success with that started in December. So I imagine those
families are just now getting ready to plant those trees. But one thing that we’ve asked families
to do is to send us photos of their trees and their families with their trees. We call it
respectively tree stories. So that families can share that and also become part of the Colorado
rooted family. Any purchase of product from Colorado rooted or initiative to plant a tree
really is the foundation. And so we see anybody that is taking that initiative as a family member
in Colorado rooted and really a supporter. So we do encourage families to bring us their stories
and tell us the story about the beautiful trees in their yard or the beautiful trees that they
have in their community that way as well too. This is so exciting. And I have to share
full disclosure that Sydney, you and I have known each other. I think since like middle school or
there are very long time. I guess. So it’s such a joy to see so many of our friends and peers
with their children, with their families engaging in this kind of activity. And I, you know,
Denver, Colorado is near and dear to many of our hearts. And to see our culture in this area
responding more and more to the sustainability, the regeneration and the stewardship call
is just beautiful. And I’m so excited to know you’re out there reaching so many more families
and helping this to take hold neighborhoods really all over. And I’m curious. Have you had any of
our old, our old pals reach out and engage in any of this yet? Oh, I think there has been a few,
you know, Colorado’s a and definitely in the high school that we went to and areas we went to.
They’re large, but it’s a small community, you know, so you don’t go far from your community without,
you know, running into a few of those old friends and then also supporting you. So I have to look
back. I can’t recall right now, but I do know that there’s been a lot of interest by a lot of
our old friends that way. And, you know, luckily, we grew up in a time where, you know,
becoming environmental friendly was environmentally friendly and sustainable was just emerging. I
mean, you know, in the early 90s, that was kind of the buzz in the talk and getting rid of the
aerosol hairspray. And, you know, you know, we kind of went through it. We all probably drove
SUVs at some point and traded them in for a little, little better car, a little better gas mileage.
But that did, you know, I think there’s all, all those influences have had a remarkable
impact on all of us. And so a lot of people that I’ve reached out to me share similar views,
you know, gardening, you know, several people that we used to go to school with.
I don’t have huge gardens, chickens and, you know, goats. You name it. So I do, I think that
as it grows, there’ll be more interest though from those communities that we grew up with.
Yeah, absolutely. And to me, this is one of the things that’s so exciting about the power of
social media, in particular, is that, you know, we’re going to be sharing this podcast episode
with as many folks as we can. And the, I think it helps us as humans, we’re such social creatures
to see that our friends and our peers are taking on some of these new activities and behaviors,
saying, hey, that’s actually a really good idea. I’ll do the same thing. And that’s a gift I
want to give to my kids as well. And that, to me, is sort of the positive aspect of how pure
pressure can, can work in a really good way in the world. And it’s not even pressure, right? It’s
just kind of, I guess pure inspiration or something. And I think it’s such an important
way for us to lead, you know, humbly in our neighborhoods and communities in a way that is
creating a better future for our kids. And, you know, it’s so beautiful here you are with your
son. And you guys are collaborating on this project and Harrison, you’re providing new ideas.
And I’m wondAarong, Harrison, for you and for your peers, how are folks responding to what’s going
on in the environmental realm, what’s going on with climate change and some of these pretty
significant risks that we’re facing? Is it something you see or your age group responding to?
Well, amongst my peers, specifically in Colorado, there’s a definitely, especially in Colorado,
there’s a big kind of influence by the people that live with us and by our environment to be
more environmentally conscious. So amongst my friends and specifically, we’ve definitely taken
initiative to be more environmentally responsible. So one of my friends started the sustainability
club at my school. So that was a thing that we did over the last two years where we volunteered
in planting trees around Parks and Denver. And then also we volunteered with environmental
sustainable companies like one, one for example, was called RAFT, where they support teachers
and their resources for other schools. But all of the resources are made out of recycled
recycled goods. So for example, they would have like science projects and stuff. They’re all made
out of recycled goods. But yeah, so we’ve been taken. I feel like my generation has really taken
a step forward in being environmentally conscious. Yeah, that’s so great to hear. And I see that
with my kids as well. Let me ask this. I’m kind of curious. How is it for you dealing with this whole
COVID situation? Right? I know that it’s really impacting students in a kind of unique way that
some of us, you know, parents maybe aren’t experiencing directly, although we’re seeing it with our kids.
What’s that been like for you? Well, as far as like education goes, definitely like it’s been
difficult adapting to the new medium of like learning over the computer and not being there in person.
And then outside of the classroom, as far as like being my age, it’s definitely hard to be
away from my friends and not be able to hang out with them. And then also having limitations on
being outside and going to the mountains. For example, it’s been difficult just because that’s
such a big part of my life. And yeah, those have been like the main challenges. Yeah, yeah. I imagine
it’s really interesting to attempt to do all of our learning through technology. And clearly,
technology has some amazing attributes and can be used for a lot of really beneficial things.
But it’s no substitute for real person to person interaction, just like looking at a digital
image of a tree is no substitute for interacting directly with a real living tree. And I think in
these times, that’s probably one of the lessons that each of us is learning even more
obviously in our own particular way. And I just, you know, big shout out to you for your
fortitude and your ability to remain positive and engaged in this kind of work, even while you’re
going through such a challenging experience, that speaks volumes. Thank you.
I think giving kids the power to do something positive during a circumstance that might not be
you know, favorable like COVID, which is creating a lot of different parameters in our life. I think
just giving, you know, our youth the ability to do something that is important and helping them
to fulfill that is so key to, you know, getting through COVID, but getting it through other
challenges in life as well too. Yeah, absolutely. Well, and what you’re sharing with the world
is such a beautiful and perfect, relatively simple and straightforward way to do this.
And I’m so excited that we can help spread the word on this here in Colorado and well beyond
Colorado. And I’m really happy to hear that you guys are creating tools and resources that other
communities can utilize as well. I mean, that’s just tremendous. And kudos to you for your
leadership. And I know as a mom, that by itself is an extraordinary and incredibly important
role that you’re playing. And to weave this in to your mothAarong, I think, is just beautiful.
Oh, yeah. It’s been so fun. It’s been fun to work with Harrison. And, you know, he’s got
some great ideas. And it brings a lot of energy to me. And, you know, it gives me a lot of
inspiration, even beyond, you know, doing something that I love, but being able to see my child
really, you know, take the lead and, and, you know, develop his own entrepreneurial spirit and ideas
and concepts, looking at how he can improve the world or the environment or the environment that
he lives in is been, you know, so fun as a parent makes you, makes you feel pretty good that you’ve
done something. Okay. Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, let’s let’s talk a little too about this
family hike concept, right? Because this was pretty central to the initial launch before COVID hit.
And I think gives us something to look forward to in the in the future. Can you can you walk us
through that Sydney? What what’s that all about? And how can families engage down the road?
Well, one big area that needs a lot of attention with trees is in the high country where we’ve
maybe lost trees to pine beetles or to wildfires or just even, you know, from natural age and the
trees and in the area. So we’ve been working with some of the local forestry departments to
help reforest those areas by planting seedlings. And the whole concept is to get outside and take your
family and go on a hike, a short little hike and plant your tree somewhere along that area that
needs reforestation. And we we had planned that to happen this spring. But again, COVID kind of put a
a little a little halt in our plans. And so we’re hoping that as soon as we can convene and groups
again that there will be able to do that as well. But that is kind of central to the theme is just
getting families out, getting families to experience nature, getting them to take care of nature
to plant a tree. So it is a big it is a big initiative that we have. And hopefully next year
we’ll be able to do that family hike in spring. Yeah, absolutely. That’ll be fun. Well, that’s
certainly something we can help promote through why on earth as well in terms of getting more
folks from this region together. I love that idea. This is so exciting. So I want to make sure
that we’re providing all the information you want to provide on this right now. ColoradoRooted.com.
Can you just walk through again all the different options that you guys have available there right now?
Yeah, definitely. So if you visit the ColoradoRooted.com website, you will find options to either
purchase a tree. You can also make a donation of any amount so that that will go towards funding
for other people to plant trees. We try to source those trees out to families that we know that
will be able to plant them and enjoy them, but maybe not afford them at that time. We try to,
like I said, we try to keep those tree prices pretty reasonable. The tree that we have on there
right now is a is a we do have a blue spruce on there. It’s under it’s $25 for you that
comes direct to your door. We also have an orchard in a box, which is going to be a bigger tree.
It’s going to be a seven to 15 gallon tree, but for $115 you get a beautiful tree that you’re
able to plant and also a raspberry and blueberry bush that comes with that. And those are all
delivered right to your door. And then lastly, and this is Harrison’s key concept is bringing the
garden in the box. And those garden and boxes are available. We have several different options.
We have an herb box. We have a garden in the box, which is going to be your variety of different
vegetables. And then we also have this also in the box, like Harrison mentioned. So if you just
want to have a small garden, both the herb garden and the salsa garden are going to be ideal for
a little smaller areas. But you know, we’re having orders come in where people are ordAarong two and
three of each for a very large garden. So it really can accommodate any size garden.
You know, we are limited by what is available in the nurseries, but we do try to keep it
interesting and keep it fun. You know, it’s definitely going to be vegetables that you will use
as we get a little bit warmer, you know, and it does become a little harder to get salad or
lettuce and why not. But we do try our best to keep those varieties pretty interesting.
That’s so great. It really is a wonderful array of options. And so just so for those of us who are
here in the front range area, what is the geographic extent of where you can do these home deliveries
right now? For the garden and the boxes, we can pretty much go anywhere in the metro area and
beyond. So we are taking orders out in Fort Collins, Brighton, also in you know,
some in Colorado Springs. And you know, we’re able to get them to you in about a day after
they ship. And we do keep them pretty, pretty fresh. In fact, we’re expecting a big delivery
right now. That will all go out in the next day. So those vegetables, you know, generally can
go anywhere in the Colorado area. As far as the fruit trees, those we do limit, we have about 115
radius around the metro area that we’ll deliver to you. But you know, if we do have enough orders
in the high country or enough interest, we would definitely make a trip out there and take care
of that as well too, or maybe do it pick up. But right now it’s more focused in the metro areas,
surrounding areas. But knowing the future, I do see us expanding to the whole Colorado region.
That’s so great. I’m curious. Are you seeing any other similar models emerging in other
states or urban centers? You know, I haven’t seen anything as similar as ours where we bring
them directly to the homes. But I do know that the botanical gardens do big plant sale every year.
And I know that I believe it’s Denver water, maybe his partner with somebody that does a
similar concept, but it is definitely on a larger scale. Yeah. That they’re delivAarong a huge
garden to, I mean, to people. But there are some out there, you know, definitely botanical gardens
does an amazing job with their plant sale every year. But this is a little bit more personal
direct to your home. And again, we are 100 percent, you know, not for profit, you know, definitely
just working to increase, you know, knowledge about Colorado rooted and help families to plant a
garden. That’s so wonderful. Well, let me just remind folks Colorado rooted as a 501C3
charity endeavoring to plant a million trees in the state of Colorado. And it’s an organization
built with family schools, individuals who are planting trees and adopting trees and making
donations to help get trees to others. And I want to just thank you guys both for being on the
podcast and for doing this amazing work that you’re doing. And before we sign off, I want to make
sure each of you has an opportunity to say anything else you might want to share with our
YonEarth community audience. We’re just so happy to be here and be able to make these connections.
So much of our work is just finding, you know, to excuse the dog trying to get in the door if you
hear that scratching. But so much of our work is just beyond working, you know, with the concept that
also connecting and connecting with communities and building relationships. So we’re just so happy
to be able to have that opportunity to connect with the YonEarth community.
We’re also encouraging families to take that week forward to start a garden maybe if they
haven’t had one in the past, but to take that initiative. And we really think that it’s going
to be a great thing for them to do for themselves and for their families. And it’s just, yeah,
very encouraging. That’s wonderful. Well, Harrison, thank you for joining us and Sydney, thank you
and thanks for all the great work you guys are doing. Well, thanks Aaron. Thanks again for having us.
Absolutely. Take care. We’ll see you out there planting trees. Yeah, absolutely. Thanks.
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