Lucas Farm

Two rather large projects have been carried out over the past several years to develop the water systems on the farm. One project was the installation of a micro-hydro power system along Lucas Creek. This is a demonstration project gifted to Viva la Vida by Solar Energy International (SEI), a non-profit alternative energy education center also located here in Paonia. Most of the project, including all the planning, engineering, labor, and installation was gifted by SEI and the board chair, Ken Gardner. Currently the system supplies power to a storage and work shed on the farm and serves as a demonstration model for SEI classes.

A second project, completed in 2024, was the development of a water transfer system in cooperation with our resident beaver population. Collaborating with the industrious activity of the beavers has allowed us to divert a portion of Lucas Creek water into side channels in order to water tree nursery areas.

Another important improvement to the water distribution network on the farm was the building of four new holding ponds. Two of the ponds were constructed to drain some low areas that have a year-round flow of water from runoff above the farm or groundwater seepage. These two ponds now provide irrigation possibilities for growing areas independent of the seasonal ditch system of irrigation generally used in this part of Colorado. The other two ponds are pass through ponds allowing us to catch and hold either creek water or ditch water, allowing us to irrigate remote areas on a planned schedule.

Lucas Farm is a community-oriented venue for other non-profits and for independent farmers and community members. Viva la Vida is the only local non-profit that actually owns a farm which is available for community use.