In the years between 1913 and 1916, Arthur and Dovie Jones moved into the Pine River valley east of Ignacio Colorado. At first they leased farm land and in 1916 they purchased their first piece of farm land. The Jones’ raised sheep, had string of Holstein milk cows and large hen house of laying hens. Over the years, other temporary farm enterprises included beef cattle, pigs and turkeys. Arthur and Dovie also raised two daughters, Alberta and Evelyn. In those days, the girls lived the life of the Wild West. They had a pet coyote, a pet cougar and rode their horses 2 miles to the local one room country school every day. Both daughters attended college in the 1930s and became career school teachers. Alberta eventually married Evan Parry and Evelyn married Glen Payne.

Five generations of the Jones, Parry and Payne families have now lived on the family farm lands. In the 1970’s, the Parry side of the family farm lands was named “Fox Fire Farms” after the Foxfire books, which had started as a student magazine project at an experimental private school in Georgia. Students interviewed local people about their southern Appalachian culture. The articles were turned into the Foxfire books whose folk themes resonated with the back-to-the-land movement of the 1970’s. You will find back-to-the land resonating from every enterprise here at Fox Fire Farms.

The Jones and Parry families have been raising sheep for almost 100 years. Fox Fire Farms is still a functioning sheep ranch in addition the recently added vineyards, winery, and special events. A sheep is featured on every bottle of wine in honor of our rich history. In 2016, Fox Fire Farms was honored at the Colorado State Fair as a recipient of Colorado’s “Centennial Farm” award. This award is given to Colorado farms and ranches that have been in continuous operation by the same family for 100 years!

The historic one-room schoolhouse where Alberta and Evelyn rode their horses to school in the early 1900’s has been completely restored. It is an amazing piece of preserved history.

A special thanks to all of our friends and customers for your support over the years!