Brandon Leuallen, The Business Times

Okagawa Farms may be on the market, but the longtime Orchard Mesa farm is continuing normal operations and remains open to customers as the growing season gets under way.

With the business listed for sale, the owners said some customers were unsure whether it would be open this year as the 35-year-old community staple looks for a new owner.

“Yeah, 100 percent we are open,” owner Lita Nieslanik said. “We are ready as usual, until we find somebody to take over.”

Nieslanik said the goal is to keep the property in agriculture rather than see it redeveloped.

“We’re not wanting to sell to somebody that wants to develop the area,” she said. “We want the business to continue.”

The farm is currently in its nursery phase, offering a wide selection of plant starts for home gardeners. Customers can purchase vegetable plants grown on-site, including chili peppers, bell peppers, jalapeños and multiple tomato varieties suited for Western Colorado, such as Mountain Fresh and heirloom selections.

The farm is also selling flowering plants, including hanging baskets, Mother’s Day pots and a variety of annuals.

The full produce stand is expected to open in June as field harvesting begins.

“Once we start harvesting our zucchini, our green beans and our pickles, then we open up the store,” Nieslanik said, adding that additional produce such as citrus, watermelon and broccoli will be brought in to supplement early-season offerings.

By late summer, the farm expects a return to its busiest period.

“In August, when we start harvesting our sweet corn and tomatoes, business as usual,” she said. “As far as the water will go, we will keep it operating as long as we have water.”

While operations continue, the property itself is being marketed as a turn-key agricultural operation.

As previously reported by The Business Times, the farm operates across approximately 300 leased acres and includes greenhouses, retail facilities and infrastructure supporting retail and wholesale production, with wholesale accounting for the majority of its business.

The farm has built a long-standing customer base over decades and remains a consistent supplier of locally grown produce in the Grand Valley.

Nieslanik said maintaining that legacy is a priority as they look for a buyer.

Photos by Brandon Leuallen.