Pedals and Perspectives: Recounting Bike the Bessemer 2024

During the fourth annual Bike the Bessemer event, nearly 150 cyclists gathered for a one-of-a-kind bike farm tour on the St. Charles Mesa. This tour provided a glimpse into the history and significance of this productive farming community, located just a few miles from downtown Pueblo, where the combination of fertile soils, abundant water, and dedicated farmers has created a remarkable agricultural legacy.

After cycling past fields of corn and squash, the group stopped at an icon business on the Mesa—the Williams Seed Store—where Sandy Cardinal shared her family’s connection to the land and how, together, they managed to grow both crops and a business that fed the community for over 100 years. She also shared the very difficult decision that was made to close the store and sell the farm, and their greatest hope that their family's legacy would live on through a buyer who shares their love of the land and commitment to keeping the farm productive. Partnering with Palmer and a conservation-minded buyer will help sustain the agricultural legacy and business through generational change.

The herd of cyclists saddled back up and rode past antique farm equipment before turning east under the wide open sky towards Milberger Farms. At the second stop, riders learned that the impact of local farms stretches far beyond the local communities. And, for those who didn’t grow up on a farm, it’s easy to underestimate just how hard our farming and ranching families have to work to sustain their operations. Shane Milberger shared Pueblo Chile salsa and chips with the entire group as he described how his family is constantly working to grow crops while diversifying their revenue stream to sustain their business. Prime soils, plentiful water, and skilled farmers are a rare combo—worth supporting with your purchases (and your voice at your local grocery store by requesting more local produce). Protecting these rare farmlands, which comprise just 2% of the area of Pueblo County, is crucial—once this farmland is developed or dried up there’s no going back.

Departing Milberger’s, the riders saw firsthand how new development had begun to spread among the multigenerational farms. The group made one final field stop at the headgate of the Bessemer Ditch to hear about the rich history and remarkable journey of the water flowing from the snow-capped peaks to the farms on the Mesa. Understanding where our water comes from, how it’s being allocated, and the consequences of changing use is important for all of us. Without thoughtful solutions—like those being led by Palmer—significantly reallocating water from agricultural to municipal uses can have disastrous, far-reaching impacts, including for you and me.  

After a morning full of adventure, the group gathered to celebrate their journey by sharing in a meal lovingly prepared by local food champions Richard and Mary and their team at Diavolo Pueblo Hot Chicken, featuring the delicious bounty of the farms they passed. Following lunch, the group had the opporunity to see MIRASOL: Looking at the Sun, which reminded us at the end of the day, what happens on the farm and to our farming communities impacts us all at our dining room table because plentiful local food choices don’t happen by accident.

The cycling journey through the farmlands of Pueblo County was not just a physical adventure, but also an eye-opening experience. The stories shared by the local farmers and business owners highlighted the deep connections between the land, the community, and the food on our tables. It's clear that supporting local farms is not just about buying fresh produce, but also about preserving a way of life and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.