What does it really take to grow a peach, a plum—or a glass of wine? In this episode of Rooted & Restless, Marianne Smith Edge heads to Palisade, Colorado and into the orchard with Kentucky native, Phil Patton, owner and winemaker, Peachfork Orchards & Vineyards.

Phil shares a firsthand look at the challenges of growing specialty crops in a region where water is precious, weather is unpredictable, and every growing decision carries risk. The conversation explores why water is one of the biggest challenges facing Western agriculture, how drought and warmer temperatures are changing growing conditions, and how shifting consumer demands are influencing what growers grow.

What We Cover:

• Why water—and cooperation—are critical to growing food in the Western U.S.

• How drought, heat and changing seasons are reshaping specialty crop production

• The essential role of pollination in producing a successful fruit crop

• How growers are adapting crops and technology to meet changing markets

The conversation takes a surprising turn when Phil shares how he took pollination—literally—into his own hands after six years without a plum crop. Whether it’s a peach, a plum or a bottle of wine, there’s a story behind what we eat and drink—and it’s often more complicated than you think.

Guest: Phil Patton, owner & winemaker, Peachfork Orchards & Vineyards, Palisades, CO

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