CASEY PISCURA – Modern Day Knight

By: Stella Sewell- 6th generation steward of Sunfire Ranch

Stella is a 6th Grade Student at Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork. She wrote this story as
part of a writing competition. She captures Casey, and the reason we started Seed Peace:
Casey’s Fund Supporting Farmers, perfectly.

As the sun sets over the hills, a young man pulls up the last carrot of the season. Now it is
time to prepare for winter — fermenting veggies and covering crops. Eager to grow food
without harmful chemicals, this genius farmer began Wild Mountain Seeds, an initiative
that helps create a healthier world.

His name was Casey Piscura, and he came to Sunfire Ranch in 2014, full of hope and big
ideas for a fresh, nontoxic garden.

Because of his dedication to healthy farming, I see Casey as a true guardian of the earth.

Casey Piscura always believed in regenerative agriculture — which is a type of farming that
uses no herbicides or toxins. Growing up Pulaski County Virginia, he dreamed of changing
the world by using regenerative agriculture. With the help of others, Casey’s dream started
to come true. After moving to Carbondale Colorado, he began building his garden on the
ranch. What began as only a few rows of crops and one greenhouse is now five acres and
five greenhouses.

In 2016, Wild Mountain Seeds began. Today, Wild Mountain Seeds is a company that sells
seeds all around the world. They also sell seed and fresh vegetables at the Carbondale
farmers market, helping to bring healthy, homegrown food to the community.
Casey P. was one of the smartest people I have ever met. Sometimes his mind would race
ahead of his body, leaving him overwhelmed thinking about how to make the world
healthier. The challenges seemed endless. Casey felt that there could always be more to
do. Living on a 1,200 acre ranch, with a five-acre garden, was no small task. There was
always more work to be done, especially without using herbicides and/or pesticides to
make things faster.

Casey P., like many farmers, dealt with depression. The unfortunate truth is that suicide
rates among farmers are higher than ever before, having the highest rates of any major
occupation in the U.S. There are many causes for depression among farmers, but one of
the largest is financial stress. Organic, nontoxic farmers face the greater challenge because
organic food is more expensive to produce and harder to sell at competitive prices. The
constant struggle to keep their farms running, combined with physical exhaustion and
uncertainties, can take a serious toll on mental health. For some, that struggle is too hard
to bear.

In February of 2025, Casey Piscura took his life. With the strong community Casey built,
they are willing to take on his legacy. With the help of Justin Blumenthal, Adam Ting, Jason
Sewell, Jaymeson Leo, and many others, we strive to keep Casey’s dream and legacy alive.

Wild Mountain Seeds continues to thrive. With big dreams and lots of hope, Sunfire Ranch
continues to be a growing model of regenerative agriculture.

Seed Peace-Casey’s Fund Supporting Farmers was created by the Piscura family to
honor Casey and support farmers practicing regenerative agriculture via grants that nourish
their mind, body and soul with reduced financial stress.

Donate, volunteer, or if you are a regenerative farmer in our service area, apply for
grants at SeedPeace.org