Since the time of initial European settlement, our valley has attracted the attention of some brilliant agrarians. These visionaries are sometimes called “bioneers.” One such man was Eugene Grubb, who in 1912 characterized the Valley’s fertility as follows: “No part of the world is better fitted by nature for growing potatoes than the mountain districts […]
Casey Piscura
Posted inNonprofits
Family and friends carry on a local farming legacy
On Feb. 2, the Valley lost one of its most prolific young farmers to suicide. Casey Piscura, 39, was an ambitious entrepreneur and adept plant whisperer. He founded Wild Mountain Seeds, a for-profit seed-breeding business with the byproduct of abundant, delicious, organic vegetables. Later, he formed a nonprofit, Seed Peace, with the mission “to accelerate […]
Posted inObituaries
Obituary: Casey James Piscura
September 10, 1985 – February 2, 2025 Casey Piscura passed away on Feb. 2 in Carbondale. Born on Sept. 10, 1985, in Pulaski, Virginia, Casey grew up in Draper, Virginia, where he spent much of his childhood enjoying the beauty of Claytor Lake. A gifted athlete, Casey excelled in every sport he pursued. He played […]
Posted inNews
Rest in peace, Casey Piscura
The Sopris Sun is sad to announce the passing of Casey Piscura. A pillar of our local agriculture movement, Casey stewarded the fields at Sunfire Ranch for nearly a decade. His seed-breeding company, Wild Mountain Seeds, gained international prestige with original varieties of tomato, squash and more. Casey also founded the nonprofit Seed Peace with […]
Posted inNews, Uncategorized
Seed Peace hosts first-ever "squaction"
The first-ever Squash Auction and Variety Showcase fundraiser for Seed Peace attracted a sizable crowd to Batch Provisions on Oct. 14. Prized selections of winter squash were sold to the highest bidder by Executive Director Casey Piscura along with vegetable-dyed aprons designed by Katie Browne of Box Eleven and printed at The Project Shop. Attendees […]
Posted inNews, Uncategorized
Local farm aspires to global impact
Glimpses of bright, reflective ribbon shine out from between dense masses of green at the Wild Mountain Seeds greenhouse. These silver and neon orange ribbons are strung around plants that look healthy, green and bear a robust fruit. Around the flagged plants, others wilt and brown, struggling to grow. Casey Piscura, Seed Peace and Wild […]