Our History
THIS PAGE LOOKS BACK ON OUR HISTORY – That was then, 30 years of farming, food and celebrations at Pastures of Plenty farm in Longmont, Colorado.
We do not currently offer custom floral design service or CSA.
Weddings
Flowers
CSA
Accidental Farmers Find Their Place
It’s been a wild ride. These two accidental farmers, Syl and Lyle, feel lucky to have bumped—quite literally—into this small plot of soil they call home.
In 1989 while hiking Mt. Wheeler, New Mexico’s highest peak, Lyle Davis and Sylvia Tawse engaged in an inspired conversation, one that would soon change their lives. The two cooks excitedly discussed the idea of a large family garden where one could grow a variety of vegetables and flowers, harvest one’s crops, prepare seasonal meals and celebrate gathering around the table, adjacent to the fields where the ingredients were grown. They called it a “field-to-table” experience long before ‘locavore’ was coined or ‘farm to table’ was a phrase.
In 1993 Lyle and Sylvia witnessed a view from another high point. This was a vista from the back fields of the historic Kirkmeyer Farm: a gently sloping contour of fields, Cottonwood trees and creek beds. It was a view of the entire spine of the Front Range that spanned all the way to the distant Spanish Peaks.
Lyle recalls, “We were looking for a house in the countryside outside of Boulder, Colorado. Something with a few acres where we could grow a big garden, raise our kids, and enjoy a semi-rural life. We accidently came upon the terribly neglected Kirkmeyer Farm. There was a dilapidated 120-year old farmhouse, broken down out buildings, shabby grounds, and fields overgrazed by livestock and not cultivated for 20 years. Yet, Syl and I knew we had discovered a gem—a 30.5-acre farm with decent water rights only 15 minutes from the Boulder.”
Despite the ramshackle conditions, they bought the farm and named it after the Woody Guthrie song, “Pastures of Plenty.” With four kids, two dogs, one decrepid Massey-Ferguson tractor and more cats then they could count, Lyle and Syl began their wild ride.
As founder of the original Alfalfa’s Markets in 1979, Lyle had a sound knowledge of the grocery business. He was also intimately involved with local and organic agriculture and was an avid gardener. Sylvia had owned a restaurant and a catering company, and was then the Director of Marketing for Alfalfa’s Markets, and on the verge of founding the public relations firm The Fresh Ideas Group. While these careers provided them with valuable assets, nether Lyle nor Syl were prepared to become farmers. As Lyle admits, “We had much to learn about one of life’s oldest professions.”
Today these two accidental farmers feel lucky to have stumbled upon their small plot of land and call it home. Just as Woody Guthrie observed in the song, “Pastures of Plenty”, the West was being changed as agriculture reshaped the land and its people.
Lyle and Syl hope they are part of another progressive era of change. By farming without the use of toxic chemicals and with a reverence for nature, Lyle and Syl believe they are able to make their own small, positive difference in the world. They are forever indebted to the many hard-working and dedicated employees who make it possible for the farm to thrive. They simply could not have done this without their farm manager, Todd Sprague, the only one patient enough to teach and stand by them each season of this accidental journey.
Farm Wedding Venue
Imagine your wedding on an organic farm surrounded by majestic mesas, views of the Rocky Mountains, and abundant fields of organic flowers. Your guests gather to celebrate in lush gardens with rustic arbors, antique furniture, and towering 100-year old cottonwood trees above a meandering creek. A crackling bonfire closes the celebration.
This is all possible at Pastures of Plenty Farm, our family’s 35-acre historic flower and vegetable farm, just 15 minutes from downtown Boulder. We’ve hosted celebrations for more than 20 years. Pastures of Plenty Farm is a nationally recognized pioneer in the farm-to-table movement, featured on The Food Network, in Eating Well, Sunset and Better Homes & Gardens magazines. We customize your wedding to your distinct wishes, and we promise to provide you with the individualized attention your big day deserves. We invite you to schedule a tour and look forward to working with you and your family to create your perfect wedding day.
Our venue is unique as it is. A true working farm, selling at local farmers markets, and home to the Tawse-Davis Family.
“I had my wedding at Pastures of Plenty and it was even better than I could have imagined. Everyone has been raving to me about how amazing the food was, how great the service was and how beautiful and unique the setting was. I can’t agree more. David Jacoby helped coordinate everything and it all came together perfectly on the big day. Thank you to everyone there for making my dream wedding a reality and going along with all my crazy idea (like having a cake made of cheese)!”
—Amanda Kesting
“For starters, primp and prep with your wedding party in the guest cottage to make your trip to the aisle mercifully short. Then say “I do” under the provided wedding arch while overlooking fields of beautiful flowers, and host your cocktail hour in the covered garden arbor, complete with vintage furniture, a gathering space, and a bar! For the reception, spend your big night wining and dining under the provided 1,500-square-foot tent. And after dinner, if you’d like to entertain your guests with a roaring fire, that’s okay—in fact, it’s encouraged, as there’s a bonfire pit at your disposal…Just ten minutes from downtown Boulder, the convenience is great, and with all of these amazing features, Pasture of Plenty is almost too good to be true.”
—Kate Lynn Nemett, “Most Beautiful Outdoor Wedding Venues In Boulder”
“A weathered wedding sign points the way past an old wagon wheel, under a canopy of lush green trees, over a rustic wooden bridge atop a little gurgling creek, to an open lawn where Lauren and Jake celebrated their wedding day. There is a sense of authenticity in backyard farm weddings and Pastures of Plenty in Boulder captures that well with their own fields supplying both produce for dinner and flowers for bouquets and centerpieces arranged on site. Meat grilled on open flame during cocktail hour joins colorful vegetables in carved platters atop planked wooden tables for the main course. One has the sense that the fading blue paint of a small bench holding luscious fruit probably got its beautiful vintage look right there on the farm. Unpretentious. Beautiful. Close to the land. Authentic.”
—Jessica Adler, JA Special Events
“Pastures of Plenty made our wedding perfect! Everyone on the staff worked closely with us as we planned our special day, and the results exceeded our expectations. We toured the venue in the winter, but Lyle’s excitement and passion made us certain that it would be gorgeous for our autumn nuptials. Our guests have said it was the best or one of the best weddings they’ve ever attended. The fact that the flowers and veggies were from the farm meant a great deal to us, and the food simply could not have been more delicious nor the service more warm. We were treated with kindness and professionalism throughout the planning, and frankly felt like part of the family on the day of our wedding. Words cannot express how grateful we are!”
—Stace Williams
“Lyle and his professional team had a flawless approach and execution on our wedding day. There was not one bad review from anyone in attendance, and both my husband and myself would not have changed one thing about the day and overall experience. Although wedding planning and execution can typically tend to be a stressful and chaotic experience, Pastures of Plenty‘s warm and authentic approach absolutely mitigated anything even close to that. For that, we cannot thank them enough.”
—Alison Barron
Organic flowers from our farm to your table!
Pastures of Plenty Farm grows over 75 varieties of heirloom organic flowers, as well as vegetables and fresh herbs that reflect the ever changing seasons.
As part of a commitment to be as sustainably-minded as possible, our farm offers cut and potted flowers to a loyal customer base in the Boulder/Denver area. Work with our talented floral designers to customize bouquets and centerpieces to accent your event. Additionally, we offer loose bulk flowers to inspire your own creativity. From our fields in Boulder County to your event, choose locally-grown flowers from Pastures of Plenty Farm.
Pastures of Plenty – 2021 Bridal Floral Offerings
All of our floral offerings are designed with seasonal, organic flowers that are harvested from the Pastures of Plenty fields and greenhouses, in the days leading up to your wedding.
Bridal Personal Flowers
Bridal Bouquet - custom bouquet to highlight the bride’s unique beauty = $125 +
Bridesmaids - hand-tied bouquets to compliment the bridal party = $50 +
Groom + Groomsmen - boutonnieres to accent the bridal party = $15
Guests of Honor - boutonnieres/corsages to recognize loved ones = $15/25
Ceremony Flowers
Arch Installation - custom arch design = $300 +
Ground Gardens - 2 designs to frame the arch/aisle = $300 +
Reception Flowers
Mason Jars Centerpieces - 12 oz glass jar filled generously to place along tables = $35 +
Bud Vase Set Centerpieces - 8 oz glass jars designed to complement each other = $35 +/set of 3
Custom Design in Specialty Vase = $50-75
Couples who are to be married at Pastures of Plenty receive a 15% discount on all wedding floral arrangements.
They also receive $400 worth of complementary ambient flowers
The complementary arrangements include:
Bridal Cottage, Bar/Appetizer Tables, Antique Sink and Bike, Guest Bathrooms, Chandelier & Cake Flowers
Are you looking to customize your floral design in any way?
If you would like to discuss custom upgrades, we are happy to supplement our farm fresh flowers with wholesale varieties, as well as acquire specialty vases/ribbon/accents to realize your unique vision.
For a fun look at how our organic flowers go from farm to market, check out this short video from Daniel Bedell and Drew Bennett:
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Thank you for your interest. Our CSA is SOLD OUT for the season. Please visit us at our Farmers Markets!
What makes a Pastures of Plenty farm CSA share special?
The Pastures of Plenty CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program is a weekly farmshare offering local and organic vegetables and flowers all summer long! What makes our CSA different is the experience! In addition to the highest quality heirloom veggies, and most beautiful floral bouquets, we include a “Treat of the Week”; a weekly surprise from our producer friends including Western Slope fruit, Haystack Mountain goat cheese, Munson Farm sweet corn, roasted chile peppers and more. Plus, we invite you to join us at the farm for discounted cooking, yoga and floral arranging classes as well as two Harvest parties. All this is included with your membership!
Become a part of the Pastures of Plenty Experiential CSA Family!
The CSA season is 16 weeks, running over 18 weeks (to account for potential weather effecting production), starting June 12th, 2021.
Pick-up Locations
Pastures of Plenty Farm: Friday’s 12 noon – 5pm (starts 6/11/21)
Boulder County Farmers Market: Saturday’s 8am – 2pm (starts 6/12/21)
Denver: City Park Farmer’s Market: Saturday’s 8am – 1pm (starts 6/12/21)
Denver: Old South Pearl: Sunday’s 9am – 1pm (starts 6/13/21)
What’s Included Per Week
REGULAR SHARE
Items A, B, D & E
Feeds: 2–4 persons (per item)
FLOWER SHARE
Items B, C & E
A: Vegetables & Herbs
Organically grown salad greens, broccoli, peppers, eggplant, cabbage, seasonal root vegetables, Romano and Haricot Vert beans, Sugar Snap peas, baby carrots, Roma tomatoes, squash, herbs and more.
B: Fresh Floral Bouquet
One large, organically grown flower bouquet.
C: Single Variety Flower Bouquet
One bunch of single variety flowers such as lilies, sunflowers, dahlias, or larkspur. We grow over 75 varieties of organic flowers.
D: Treat of the Week
A weekly surprise from our producer friends including Western Slope fruit, Haystack Mountain goat cheese, Munson Farm sweet corn, roasted chile peppers and more.
E: Fun at the Farm Events
All shares include four seasonal cooking classes (first come, first served) and discounted cooking, yoga and floral arranging classes as well as two fun Harvest Parties catered by Plenty.