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Ranch Tours at James Ranch
Durango, CO
The families at James Ranch have been caring for and working on their land for 48 years encompassing three generations. We are welcoming visitors on a limited basis to show them how we practice holistic agriculture that is beneficial for the land, the animals and the people. Enjoy the scenery of the Animas Valley including river frontage, pastureland and fresh water ponds by electric cart or hay-wagon from June through September.
Going "beyond" Organic - The James Ranch Mission: "The integrity and distinction of the James Ranch is to be preserved for future generations by developing financially viable agricultural and related enterprises that sustain a profitable livelihood for the families directly involved, while improving the land, and encouraging the use of all resources, natural and human, to their highest and best potential." At James Ranch, sustainability in agriculture is more than a slogan, it's a way of life.
Raingear, hats, sunscreen and walking shoes are highly recommended.
- Address
33846 Hwy 550
Durango, CO 81301
- Directions
- Drive north of Durango on Hwy 550 for 11 miles. James Ranch is a right turn off of the highway approximately 1/4 mile beyond Honeyville. Coming south on Hwy 550, the James Ranch entrance is approximately 1/4 mile from Whispering Pines on the left. From the La Plata County Airport, we are about 45 minutes away.
*Map location is approximate and should not be
trusted for navigation. Please contact us for detailed directions.
- Cancellation
- Cancellations received less than 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure time are non-refundable. If James Ranch has to cancel the tour due to weather and an alternative tip cannot be facilitated, your tour is fully refundable.
- Deposit
- Payment is taken in full at the time of booking.
- Other
- Payment is taken in full at the time of booking. Cancellations received less than 48 hours prior to your scheduled departure time are non-refundable. If James Ranch has to cancel the tour due to weather and an alternative tip cannot be facilitated, your tour is fully refundable.
James Ranch provides great tours of the working ranch so that you can experience Colorado's agricultural backbone for yourself! The families at James Ranch have been caring for and working on their land for over 48 years and for more than three generations. Today, James Ranch is welcoming visitors on a limited basis to show them how they practice holistic agriculture that is beneficial for the land, the animals and the people. James Ranch ToursEnjoy the scenery of the Animas Valley including river frontage, pastureland and fresh water ponds by electric cart or hay-wagon from June through September. This unique farm / ranch tour will take you through the fields and systems of the James Ranch, a leader in local produce and pastured livestock production. Visit "the girls" (the Jersey milk cows) and see the artisan cheese process while touring the organic gardens along the way. Then kick back and enjoy a sample of seasonal James Ranch products while resting at one of the water-ways on the ranch. Tuesday and Thursday 1.5 Hour Tours
Short on time? This great electric cart tour is a great way to get an overview of what life is like at the James Ranch. The tours run at either 1 - 2:30pm or 3 - 4:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This tour is limited to a maximum of 7 people so hurry and reserve your space today!
The James Ranch Products
On your tour, you will learn about and experience the processes, management and they yield of all of the following: - Artisan Cheeses ~ Watch them make cheese with raw cow's milk from their own herd of 100% grass-based Jersey cows.
- Grass-Finished Beef ~ The beef cattle are raised exclusively on grass and never grain, which is actually a very unnatural food for cattle.
- Whey-Good Pork ~ The pastured pigs are fed whey which is drained off in the cheese making process making a high protein and highly nutritious natural feed.
- Farm Fresh Eggs ~ The hens are free to roam, eating grass for eggs full of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Organic Vegetables ~ The Gardens at James Ranch has an array of fresh vegetables and flowers.
James Ranch - Going "Beyond Organic"
As with most organic farms, James Ranch does not use synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, added hormones, or feed animal by-products in the raising of its food. But even more than that, here are some of the other things that they are doing: - All decisions are made from a holistic perspective, meaning they consider how decisions affect the land, ecosystems, wild and domestic animals, families, communities, customers, and future generations.
- They contribute to open space, wildlife habitat and recognize and respect the roles of predators in this natural world and their role in maintaining balance in ecosystems.
- They manage livestock to preserve wetlands, soil quality and water quality to maintain sustainable ecosystems. In addition, they do not feed cattle grain, a very unnatural food for ruminants (such as cattle) whose stomachs are designed to digest grass.
- They practice low-stress handling of their livestock as well as natural husbandry so that everything is as natural as Mother Nature intended.
- They also practice rotational grazing which builds topsoil in watersheds and grasses which naturally out-compete noxious weeds, reducing and eliminating dependence on chemical controls.
Getting There:
From Durango, Drive north on Hwy 550 for 11 miles and James Ranch is a right turn off of the highway approximately 1/4 mile beyond Honeyville - Look for the big James Ranch sign on your right hand side. Coming south on Hwy 550, the James Ranch entrance is approximately 1/4 mile from Whispering Pines on the left. From the La Plata County Airport, the Ranch is about 45 minutes away.
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