This story appears in the February issue of Utah Business. Subscribe.
Utah’s 29 counties each offer businesses and employees something different. Named the best state in the nation two years in a row, it’s Utah’s varied counties that provide opportunities for all. In this series, I’ll be laying out the business case for each of them. Let’s visit Daggett County.
With only about 4 percent of property able to be sold and no swaths large enough to attract significant businesses, Daggett County is “all in on tourism,” says Peggy White, a Daggett County commissioner’s assistant for economic development and tourism.
Daggett County is one of the smallest counties in Utah. According to recent estimates, there are about 992 people living on 721 square miles. About 89 percent of the county’s land is federally owned. Of the 11 percent left, White says 7 percent is used for massive agriculture — i.e., by local ranchers — and the other 4 percent is scattered about in small parcels and includes empty mountain tops. During COVID-19, visitors were drawn to the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area for peace and freedom. Now, according to White, many have decided to stay and work remotely.
“People are getting the highest quality veggies because they will literally have just been pulled out of the ground.”
— Emily Forbes
The influx challenged the county to update businesses, buildings and other community services to support and encourage the growth. White says a new “boutique” ski resort can be expected for the 2034 Olympics, along with a new bike path, more hotels and breakfast spots. The only downside is that housing costs have risen, but White says they need the stimulus.
With an hour-long average drive to any commercial grocery store, another area in need of localizing was Daggett County’s food desert. “If you don’t grow some of your own herbs, you can’t buy fresh herbs here,” White says. But, after fate brought the Forbes Family to their Daggett County farm, “They’ve changed that. They’re bringing us not only healthy foods but into the 21st century.”
Currently, the Forbes Family Farm supplies 65 local families with fruits, vegetables and even meat through its community supported agriculture (CSA) program.
A Q&A with Emily and Steve Forbes, co-founders of Forbes Family Farm
Where are you located? What do you produce?
EF: We are located about seven miles south of Manila. We’re the only actively working farm growing vegetables for sale. There are other cattle ranchers in the area, one other guy who does lamb, but we do pasture-raised pork, chicken, turkey, duck, beef, yak, and fruits and vegetables. We have a diversified operation on purpose. We got into farming to grow the highest-quality food for our own family but also for our community.
How did you first learn about the CSA model? What makes this the best option for your operations?
EF: Neither of us grew up with any farming background. We realized that in order to make and eat the best quality food, you have to be as close to the source as possible. We started gardening in whatever space we had available. We were in a little condo in downtown Denver, so we converted our balcony to container gardening and grew our first carrots, radishes and tomatoes. We realized our little four-by-eight patio was not going to supply all of our food for the year, so we joined a CSA ourselves. … After moving out here, we initially started [selling product] by going to some farmers markets … because we didn’t have a customer base, and the whole concept of a CSA had never really been done out here. We needed to establish who we were, what we were growing and what we were about. A few years into it, we were able to transition to a CSA model. … We sent an email out and said, “OK, this is what we’re going to do. Let me explain what this model is and how it works. You sign up; you pay in advance. Then, every week, we’re going to deliver veggies to you. Trust us with your investment, and we promise we’ll provide veggies for you for the next 22 weeks.” I think 22 families signed up, and we started delivering.
How did education become part of your business?
EF: One of the potential challenges — but also opportunities — with CSA is that people then need to learn how to cook seasonally. That’s different because when we go to the grocery store, we can buy strawberries, but there is nowhere in this area where strawberries are producing right now. People have gotten very out of sync with what’s actually in season. … When people are faced with kale or chard multiple weeks in a row, [they start thinking,] “What else can I do with this?” We wanted to produce content for our CSA members to help them make the most out of it and feel successful.
Why did you choose to start your farm in Daggett County? How has the community supported your business?
SF: My family bought this land, and … it is really ideal. We realized we weren’t going to find the kind of opportunity that this land presents anywhere else, so we made arrangements with [my family], moved here and started our business. … The community has been very welcoming, and we’ve been fortunate.
Do you have plans to grow your business? Will you ever deliver produce to people outside of Daggett County?
EF: With our community-supported agriculture model, we have about 65 families that are members, and we deliver twice a week. One day, we go up to Green River and Rock Springs, Wyoming, and then one day a week here in Manila and down to Dutch John. … For the most part, we’re harvesting everything that morning, so things are super fresh. People are getting the highest quality veggies because they will literally have just been pulled out of the ground.
There is definitely opportunity for growth, but … because of our location, shipping is a huge challenge. We don’t have easy access to the overnight shipping you’d really need. … There’s enough demand here locally, and we’re able to meet the demand.
What is your favorite crop?
EF: A homegrown tomato — you just can’t beat it.
SF: Garlic is one that comes to mind. It’s the first bit of green that we start to see in the spring, and it’s not like anything that you find in a store anywhere.
