2019 A Year of Growth

First, we would like to thank all of you for making 2018 a record year for both Patches of Hope and OneLuv Organics.  Without your support we simply wouldn’t be where we are today.  

2019 is shaping up to be exciting.  We wanted to update you on a few news items, product updates, and general farm updates as we are already well into plans and preparations for the Summer 2019 season.


As many of you know, “Patches of Hope” is our feed the hungry program where we donate a portion of our organic vegetable production to local charities and families.  In 2018 we added “The Marion House” in Colorado Springs as a direct recipient of some of our vegetables.  We are looking for additional kitchens/groups in the Denver and Colorado Springs area to work with as well.  We donate the vegetables but the groups are responsible for transport, washing, and helping harvest the vegetables.  

Greenhouse Project
We are in the process of taking bids for building our new greenhouse(s).  We expect the first greenhouse to be completed by April 20, 2019 and the second to be completed sometime Nov/Dec.  This will allow us to run the Patches of Hope and commercial organic vegetable production year-round.

Sounds good right?  Well, there is a ‘but’.  Believe it or not, the government shutdown is impacting this project and others like it.  If the shutdown stretches on for months, the second greenhouse could be delayed for reasons beyond our control.  We are proceeding with all parts that can be completed in the meantime and the first greenhouse should not be affected.

Farmers Market
Starting in May or June, you will be able to purchase our organic fruits and vegetables at either the Monument or Castle Rock Colorado farmers market.  This will be our first location and we expect to expand throughout the area of Denver and Colorado Springs in 2019 and 2020.  We hope to find some winter markets in the area as well but will launch a winter CSA program if we can’t find a suitable winter market.

If you have a local market and would like to offer our Organic certified fruits and vegetables please email us at support@oneluvorganics.com with the subject “Market Reseller”.  

Soaps
We are modifying our soap lineup a bit in 2019.  We will be replacing our non-hemp soaps with an expanded Artisan line that includes palm-free, shea butter, spa bars, and a new Artisan line shampoo bar.  This will greatly increase soap choices to our customers.  The Essentials-Hemp Line of soaps is not changing though scents do rotate in and out of the offerings based on customer feedback.

Labeling Changes: We are working in 2019 to move our soap, shampoo, and future offerings to a new brand in late 2019.  The only difference you will notice is the labels but for us behind the scenes it makes it much easier to distinguish between our local food offerings and our personal care products.  The girls have a list of names they are considering and are working with their IP legal team to complete the transition as soon as possible.  

Hemp Grow
There does seem to be some confusion about the hemp grown at OneLuv Organics.  We do not own the hemp.  That hemp grow is owned by Haleigh’s Hope.  We volunteer in the fields during planting and harvest but everything in and on those fields belongs to them.  

We don’t comment on the business dealings of Haleigh’s Hope but we will say this: They are the only medical hemp (or cannabis) manufacturer that donates to Patches of Hope.  Their donations (generated by using discount code “HHLEX” at checkout on their site) fed hundreds if not thousands of people in 2018 alone.  It’s a compliment to them but it raises a question we are often asked: “If the cannabis industry is the most compassionate in the world, how can this be true?”.  

It’s an interesting question.

R.I.P. Dale Anderson (By Dean and Liza Bortell)

Most people who read this didn’t know Dale Anderson.  Dale was Alexis and Avery’s friend and their Kubota representative at Frontrange Kubota.  Dale passed away unexpectedly last week.  Dale’s contributions to Patches of Hope and OneLuv Organics are too numerous to list.  The girls referred to him as “Mr. Dale”.  

They have asked that a garden bed in Patches of Hope permanently be dedicated to his memory.  The sign is being ordered now and the bed will be dedicated in April.  

Dale, thank you for always treating our daughters with respect and for being their (and our) friend.  You will be greatly missed but never forgotten.  

Godspeed Mr. Dale.