> Operating since 1907 when Frank and Maggie Burns first planted peaches in Grand Junction, Ela Family Farms has evolved into Colorado's first certified organic fourth-generation orchard under the stewardship of Steve Ela. Growing over 55 varieties of organic tree fruits—including cherries, peaches, pears, apples, plums, grapes, and multiple heirloom tomato varieties—the farm emphasizes flavor above all: 'Our pride and delight is letting the fruit ripen in the field,' ensuring notably juicy and complex offerings. The operation demonstrates environmental leadership by supplying approximately 80% of electricity through on-farm solar panels, using gravity-powered drip irrigation, and maintaining carbon-neutral operations while conserving land in perpetuity as agricultural open space. They practice zero-waste farming, selling market-grade and canning-grade fruit while using damaged fruit for commercial kitchen operations and feeding scraps to local pig farmers.