Tucked in between Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in what some refer to as the Secret Valley, also known as Spring Valley, Vanessa Harmony is bringing her own harmonious effort to the edible production and possibilities of the Roaring Fork Valley. Harmony, who refers to herself as somewhere between a self-proclaimed tree-hugger, horticulturist, arborist and edible-plant enthusiast, founded Colorado Edible Forest in 2016.

Harmony’s journey to Rivendell Farms, the location of her edible bounty and nursery on Spring Valley Road, one mile past the Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley Campus, is exotic. She grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia, and spent summer breaks in the Colorado Rockies hiking with her dad and camping and backpacking with National Wildlife Federation’s wildlife camp and teen adventure programs. These summers proved to be a driving force in her career and eventually pulled her to the Roaring Fork Valley.

Photos courtesy of Vanessa Harmony

“Those summers in Colorado grew my love for the Rocky Mountains, my desire to nurture nature and my zest for foraging wild strawberries and raspberries along trail sides,” explains Harmony. It’s these authentic moments that inspired her to focus her research into groupings of fruit trees or berry shrubs that produce non-toxic, consumable rewards for humans and, often, animal consumption. And, with over 100 documented species of fruit or berry-producing edibles for mammal consumption in the Roaring Fork Valley, Harmony has a plethora of options in which to nurture and proliferate through her nursery.

Now in her 10th year of growing edible trees and shrubbery, Harmony has over 150 offerings of plants. Tree grafting is one of her specialties. This process helps propagate fruit trees growing in the region that might have tasty fruit, but also might be aging — think apple and plum trees that were brought to the valley over a century ago by settlers.

With customers ranging from private homeowners to farms and residential and commercial developments, Harmony’s edibles are being grown and reintroduced throughout the 40-mile valley. The benefits include a ripple effect. “My motto is to grow food, build soil and nurture nature. The latter refers to providing habitat and forage for wildlife and beneficial insects, as well as nurturing our own healing connection to nature,” she says.

Harmony’s most popular blooms include currant and gooseberry plants that are fast-fruiting and easy to grow; aronia berry plants with high-antioxidant fruits and beautiful fall foliage; and heirloom dessert apple and cider apple varieties that produce fruits with complex flavors that can’t be found at grocery stores.

Harmony offers nursery sales and tours by appointment along with site consultation services to coach customers on growing edible trees, berry bushes and edible perennials.

Julie Bielenberg
Writer
@juliebielenberg

Originally published in the summer + fall 2025 issue of Well.