Sustaining Creativity Podcast
Sustaining Creativity Podcast
Regenerating Creativity with Larry Lempka
Creativity through the lens of the Owner of Los Rios Farm
"Creativity = Problem Solving"
Farm Bio: Although not being born on a farm, yet living on one most of his life, Larry Lempka is the originator of Los Rios Farm, the farm that has been in the family for over 60 years influenced by growing up on the Little Thompson River south of Berthoud Colorado. He has an extensive agricultural heritage for many generations going back to Poland and Russia. His first solo experience on a tractor started at age 6, with his first animal being a grafted bull calf that started a small herd at age 10. His first leased farm was acquired as a Junior in High School his first crops were snap beans grown for Kuner Empson Company, and grass hay. He has commercially grown vegetables consisting of snap beans, peas, onions, potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes and pickles,(yes pickles, well ok cucumbers for pickles). Conventional crops include alfalfa and grass hay, wheat, corn, triticale, brewing barley, cranbe, buckwheat, pinto beans, and sunflowers. He presently has a herd of cattle raising grass-fed beef, has been raising pasture pork and a few pasture ornaments including a horse or two and goats. Also, free range chickens for entertainment. Using regenerative farming practices, Larry is working to improve the soil for healthy plants, healthy animals and thus healthy food.
Personal Bio: CSU Alumni, with a degree in Agricultural Business, and a minor in Agronomy. Member of FarmHouse Fraternity. Was a member of the National Champion Meat Judging Team at CSU. Proud member of the Future Farmers of America, where he held the position of State Reporter in 1979-80 and created the first year of the ongoing Colorado FFA Magazine. He holds the FFA American Farmer Degree. He is currently President of the Little Thompson Watershed Coalition which was established after the 2013 Flood. Was a member of the Larimer County Agricultural Advisory Board to the County Commissioners. Is a member of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado Coalition to Enhance Working Lands, Citizen Science Soil Health Project, and several other soil improvement and livestock associations He has been awarded the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award from Larimer County and recently been selected to participate in the Saving Tomorrow's Agricultural Resources Plus Program to work to promote and improve agricultural lands where he established a 4 out of 5 star rating in the initial year of the program.
http://www.losriosfarm.com
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/losriosfarmarm