Fueling Fertile Soil
Growing up on a small family farm in Boulder, Azuraye Wycoff graduated from CU Boulder wanting to make the world a better place. Pursuing a career in cross-cultural consulting by studying abroad in Spain and China, Azuraye was determined to leave Boulder - forever. After college she landed a job in Boston with a US-Chinese start-up, where she hoped to expand the paradigm of how business was done.
Charles Conigliaro, a childhood friend made on adventures through Spain, introduced her to Boston while directing his moving company, Small Haul. He had started the business to help the customers of his sister’s real estate practice and eagerly innovated to help thousands of Boston residents through their apartments, houses, and dorms.
Charles & Azuraye Hoist a Boxspring Over a Balcony, 2018
In the midst of the Covid pandemic, Azuraye and Charles caravanned back to Boulder to help her family repurpose the equestrian center as a farm, hoping to grow local produce and give back to the community. Only two days after arrival, chaos erupted. A wildfire raged through the hills and only with the whole family’s urgent efforts were all of the animals evacuated in time. Everyone returned days later to discover the fires had consumed over ten thousand acres of the local hillside but entirely avoided the heart of the farm. The family was relieved, and collectively understood the boon as a sign that they were in the right place. And thus Yellow Barn Farm was born.
Adopt-a-Tree for Drylands Agroecology Research’s annual tree planting events. Over 8,000 trees have been planted at YBF.
Over the next few years Azuraye and Charles continued to innovate as Yellow Barn thrived. It was apparent that relying on agricultural production for economic stability was nearly impossible, so the farm became an incubator for small businesses to fund doing the right thing. Small Haul’s income quickly became a vital part of that economic engine, and the farm continued to expand.
Small Haul’s First Annual Summit, Hosted at Yellow Barn, 2025
As Yellow Barn continues to thrive, Azuraye and Charles look beyond Colorado - if this community can be a force for good in Boulder, why not in other states? Countries? It doesn’t take the worst fire in local history for the land to long for restoration and bountiful life. It doesn’t take anything for us to need community and a way to make a living. If we all crave these ideals, why not organize around small, accessible opportunities that can make a difference?
Small Haul’s Vans Double as Picky Pig Compost Vans
Azuraye & Charles met in Spain, age 15 & 16 - 2009
One summer during peak moving season, Charles asked Azuraye for some part-time help. The temp job quickly grew into an all-consuming mission, and she left her comfy corporate job to jump into the deep-end of true entrepreneurship. Charles and Azuraye spent countless hours transporting mattresses, creating pulleys to move couches over balconies, and telling people that yes, there was a girl on the team coming to move their 500 hundred pound safe.
Azuraye & Charles Stand in Front of the Original Small Haul Van in Boston, 2018
Work never seemed to slow down. Azuraye began the Colorado branch of Small Haul and quickly realized it wasn’t remotely practical to run a farm and a moving company simultaneously. Damages were being tallied and the farm yearned for more growth, each day demanding more time she didn’t have. To allow her direct focus with Yellow Barn and provide more hands for the seemingly endless labor, Charles sent out help. Two seasoned Haulers were sent across the country in a Sprinter van full of moving supplies to assist in launching Small Haul Colorado, their first branch outside of Boston.
Charles & Azuraye in the Greenhouse, 2023
The Stalk Market was born, connecting people with the restoration of local soil and providing them access to its harvest. Picky Pig Compost began collecting food scraps around town. Drylands Agroecology Research brought regenerative environmental strategies to the farm and its damaged surroundings. Farm Hop tours introduced the public to all the work being done, and volunteers supported in planting over 8,000 trees on the property. A familiar system was finding its roots once more; small businesses dynamically filling niches and creating a circular economy. A community stabilized by symbiosis and development nourished by diverse individual opportunity. A village was born.
Picky Pig Compost Feeds DAR’s Pigs for a Circular System
We continue to develop Yellow Barn’s model one compost bin, one couch haul, and one tree planted, at a time. The most valuable resource within our control is our attention, so if you’re wanting to help build something important, here’s your chance:
Need to move? Support Small Haul and fuel a regenerative future: smallhaul.com
Got food scraps? Let the Picky Pig provide them purpose: Pickypig.farm
Want local food delivered? Invest in the Stalk Market and get a share of the harvest, delivered: stalk-market.com
Want to get your hands in the dirt? Volunteer or tour Yellow Barn Farm: yellowbarn.farm
The village is growing. You’re invited.
Written by Jantzen Fenn
Small Haul Colorado Branch Manager
