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Norwood

  • Published
  • On June 2, 2017
Photo collage on Norwood community

Our region is stunningly beautiful. From the snowcapped peaks of Telluride, to the red rock canyons of Paradox, to the rich grasslands of Norwood. On a recent staff visit to Norwood, I was inspired, not just by the views, but by visiting some of our programs and meeting community leaders. The visit was a reminder of everything that the Telluride Foundation supports directly and indirectly in Norwood. I saw firsthand the Foundations impact on our small tight-knit neighbor.

Hannah and Ben, the founders and bakers of Blue Grouse Bread, shared their passion for building a small business and baking whole grain breads. The Foundation helped Blue Grouse with a small grant to educate and encourage local farmers to grow heirloom grains for their bakery, re-igniting a lost local grain product. Hannah and Ben don’t just produce great bread; they are wonderful committed people creating an entire re-birth of local growers for local food.

During our Norwood visit we were also inspired by visits that included: Tony and Barclay at Indian Ridge Farms (an organic vegetable, chicken and cattle farm); Michelle, a force of nature at the Norwood Food Bank that feeds 50 families a week!; Carrie the librarian, who with her strong will is leading the community in building a new library for Norwood by 2019; the Prime Time child care center that cares for over 50 children of working class families; the Norwood raw water project; the Uncompahgre Medical Center and its programs for senior healthcare and AllPoints transportation service; the Norwood Fresh Food Hub and the Apple Core Project, which are developing a local food economy on Wright’s Mesa; as well as several more programs and projects.

What a great day and how lucky we are, through the generosity of donors, to support this beautiful community.