Farmers' Markets — Three towns in the area offer weekly markets, replete with locally grown organic produce, locally produced crafts and live music. Between June and October, visit markets in Cortez (www.cortezfarmmarket.com) on Saturdays (7:30-11 a.m.), Dolores on Wednesdays (4-6 p.m.) and Mancos on Thursdays (5-7 p.m.). Also keep an eye out for produce stands throughout the area.

Museums — The Antique Tractor Outdoor Museum in Dove Creek (www.dolorescounty.org) features more than 100 antique tractors, farm implements and vehicles — almost all in full operating condition.

Farm and Ranch Stays — At Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch in Cortez, guests stay on a working farmstead that offers organic gardens and free-range eggs, and select their own vegetables for dinner. Stay at Turning Beyond Ranch in Mancos (www.turningbeyondranch.com) or Never M/T Circle Ranch in Cortez (970-564-1669) for a down-home farm vacation. Looking to become a cowboy for a few days? Take part in a cattle drive at East Pines Ranch in Cortez (www.eastpinesranch.com), a working cattle ranch raising natural breed.

Farm and Ranch Visits — Crabapple Tree Farm in Mancos (970-739-1172) offers breeding stock, local grass-fed lamb and wool while promoting the threatened Navajo-Churro breed of sheep. The Dragonfly Farm, a micro-eco farm in Dolores (www.localharvest.org), offers tours and springtime classes. And at Flippin' Eggs in Dolores (970-882-3240), you'll find free-range eggs — as well as turkeys and other birds on a seasonal basis.

To see alpacas, visit Shadow Ranch Alpacas (www.shadowranchalpacas.com) or Pelican Acres Alpacas (www.AB4C.info), both in Dolores. Simmons Cattle Company and Organic Farm in Lewis (970-739-6153) runs an organic, natural operation. For a trip to the future, check out San Juan Bioenergy in Dove Creek (www.sanjuanbio.com), a production facility with capacity to produce 2.5 million gallons of vegetable oil per year.

Seasonal U-pick locations — Visit one of seven farms and pick your own produce. Check Apple U-Pick in Yellow Jacket (970-565-3123), Hauser's Pumpkin Patch in Cortez (970-560-1201), Jones Farm in Cortez (970-712-1794), Laughing Bear Orchard in Dolores (970-882-2375), Confluence Farm in Mancos (970-533-7292) or Tranquility Acres Farm in Dove Creek (970-562-4339). Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch's u-pick gardens are available to those not staying at the ranch, too.

Wineries — Yes, there's a vineyard in southwestern Colorado! Visit Guy Drew's Vineyards and tasting room in Cortez (www.guydrewvineyards.com).

Restaurants — The award-winning Metate Room at Mesa Verde National Park's Far View Lodge (www.visitmesaverde.com) features sustainable and local heritage foods, Colorado wines and sustainable cuisine workshops. The Farm in Cortez (970-565-3834) serves locally grown, mostly organic food.

Unique Local Products — Try locally grown pinto and Anasazi beans from Adobe Milling in Dove Creek (970-677-2620). You'll also find high-altitude, local, red winter wheat flour from Cortez Milling in stores throughout the area. Local greenhouses and nurseries that specialize (and offer workshops) in native and drought-tolerant plants include Four Seasons Greenhouse and Nursery in Dolores (www.fourseasonsgreenhouse.com), and in Cortez, Cliffrose Gardens (www.cliffrosegardens.com) and Let it Grow (970-565-3009).

Annual Events — Major events include: the Four-State Ag Expo (March); Montezuma Country Fair (July); Mesa Verde Country® Food, Wine and Art Festival (August); Harvest Brew Festival (September); and Pumpkin Festival (October).