The Rockwood Legacy…
Carpe Diem Foods is a family enterprise founded by Nathan “Chef Nate” Rockwood and Michelle Kardokus Rockwood, rooted in agriculture, nutrition, and from-scratch cooking. We believe in enriching lives through family, food, and farming.
Iron Lady Farms began in 2020 as part of our agri-tourism work at The Grey Wolf Resort in Victor, Colorado. In 2024, we relocated to Cortez, Colorado, continuing to build our life around family, land, and community.
in 2024 Nate passed away unexpectedly at the age of 37, leaving behind Michelle and their three children. His life and philosophy of Carpe Diem—to be present and make the most of each day—continue to shape everything we do. This business is both a continuation of that legacy and a way to support our family moving forward.
As graduates of the Colorado Agriculture Leadership Program, we’ve built strong relationships with local farmers, ranchers, and food producers. These partnerships allow us to bring high-quality, locally sourced products to our community.
Our goal is simple: to help families reconnect through food. We offer curated meats and provisions that make it easier to cook from scratch, gather around the table, and appreciate where food comes from. We believe in quality over quantity and in honoring the time, care, and resources behind every meal.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Colorado Agricultural Leadership Program (CALP) develops and enhances the leadership capabilities of diverse men and women committed to the future of Colorado’s agricultural and rural communities.
Coaxing a living from the land, providing rural community products and services, agricultural and rural people have significantly contributed to Colorado’s tapestry. CALP enriches this culture through a hands-on, interactive program dedicated to producing graduates with the vision and commitment to lead change and ensure the sustainability of Colorado’s agricultural economies and rural communities.
“FOOD IS A VALUABLE TOOL. IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER, ENCOURAGES SHARING, KINDNESS, AND LOVE. IT REPRESENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUALLY LEARN AND EDCATE OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER. I BELIEVE THAT NOW IS THE TIME FOR US AS A PEOPLE TO START MAKING SOME CHANGES. LET’S CHANGE THE WAY WE EAT, LET’S CHANGE THE WAY WE WLIVE, LET’S CHANGE THE WAY WE TREAT EACH OTHER. WE CAN ALL SEE THAT IT IS ON US TO DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO SURVIVE AND MAKE OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR OUR CHILDREN, AND OUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN.”
-NATHAN “ROCKWOOD” DIRNBERGER, CEC
1987-2024