Rancho Manzana
This summer, I had the opportunity to spend some serious quality time on a hidden gem of a farm, Rancho Manzana, nestled in the hills of Chimayo.
I won’t say too much here about the story, since I both wrote and photographed the story for Trend Magazine, and you can read “Back to the Future of Farming” on the Trend Website.
I will say, however, that this is my absolute favorite kind of story – the kind where I am able to document people, what they do, and where they do it, over a period of time. When I’m able to dedicate time to a story, to let it unravel through a season, the results are so much richer.
The young farming couple of Brett and Alexis are establishing new traditions, farming the historic land of Jody Apple’s Rancho Manzana, which is both a working farm and a beautiful B and B. They plan to develop a series of dinners to celebrate the true Farm to Table experience in the fall of 2012.
The chickens on their morning tour of the apple trees at Rancho Manzana
Farmers Brett and Alexis bring tradition to modern farming
Brett and friends (including Jack and Jill, the Mules) plough the field for the potatoes
I can't describe eloquently enough how beautiful the mules were. The smell of their sweat soaking the leather of their harnesses was nearly intoxicating.
I think it's no coincidence that the traditional means of farming are so visually stunning.
Planting potatoes from potato seeds.
The garlic fields feature more than ten varieties.
Brett harvesting herbs for the dinner (left). The humble beginnings of every salad. (right)
Brett tends to the Alice Chalmers, his cherished antique - yet functional and useful - tractor.
I'm always fascinated to see the source of a beautiful presentation of food. In this case - the color confetti of salad from beautiful little dirt encrusted radishes and turnips
Reaping the awards of all the hard work - dinner time.
Eating outdoors, on the patio, in the summertime, surrounded by flowers and food: sublime.
The summer setting at Rancho Manzana - nothing short of idyllic.
Artist and Farmer Alexis - her art echoes the rhythms and textures of her work on the farm.
Rancho Manzana.
