History
Talbott Farms
www.talbottfarms.com
970-464-5943
Copyright 2009, Talbott Farms. 970-464-5943. Palisade, Colorado
Palisade, Colorado at the east end of the Grand Valley is best known for its peach production. When early settlers first entered the Grand Valley, the panorama was composed of vast expanses of sagebrush and greasewood interrupted by a sprinkling of cottonwood trees. Farmers like John Harlow, Christopher Bower and William Oldham were among the first settlers in the 1880's who planted both fruits and vegetables testing the soil's nutrients by bringing buckets of water from the Colorado River. Later a hand dug "Price Ditch" watered the initial orchards. Soon thereafter several ditches were constructed providing water throughout the Grand Valley. By 1895 the town of Palisade was established (which was soon to become the hub of the peach industry in Colorado). At this point, fruit production had become central to Mesa County's economy. By the 1940's peach production reached over a million bushels per season. Palisade growers have won numerous National and International prizes since the early 1900's.
Talbott's ancestors were among the early settlers coming to the high altitude scenic mountain valleys of the Western Slope of Colorado. Their great-great grandfather, Joseph Evan Yeager emigrated to Palisade from Iowa in 1907. The early emigrants quickly recognized the unique micro-climate where mineral rich alluvial soils combined with warm sunny days and cool dry nights created a perfect growing environment for fruit trees, particularly peaches. The first crops produced in the valley confirmed their assessment with fruit exhibiting exceptional flavor profiles on all the fruit trees produced. The remarkably flavorful and beautiful peaches, apples, cherries, apricots, pears, plums and grapes quickly gained acclaim throughout the country and particularly in Colorado and mid-west markets.
Throughout the history of the valley's fruit production, the need for labor has drawn in workers from many diverse areas. During World War II, German and Austrian prisoners of war were utilized in the harvesting of peaches, as local resources were short. Today the work force consists of many young people and migrant workers.