About Us
The Farmers Ditch Company is a not-for-profit entity. The ditch company is run by a Board of Directors, elected by the shareholders. The Board manages the day to day operations of the ditch company.
The Farmers Ditch is operated by the Ditch Superintendent, hired by the Ditch Company. The Ditch Superintendent handles day to day maintenance and operations, controls the flow of water in the ditch, and tracks water deliveries.
The Farmers Ditch typically delivers water to shareholders from April to October. While the amount of water in the ditch is largely controlled by the demand from shareholders, other factors such as climate, weather, and hydrologic conditions can affect when the ditch is physically and legally capable of running water.
Farmers Ditch, at times, may also convey stormwater, due to the interception of natural drainage paths and the existing lay out of the local stormwater system. This water is returned to the nearest drainage through bypass gates along the ditch.
Zach Ramstetter
Farmers Ditch Superintendent
Zach is a Colorado native. When he was 12 years old, Zach began working in the family’s excavating and construction business (Ramstetter Excavating Inc.) His job duties evolved over the years and included operating machinery, building & grading mountain roads, digging basements, grading properties, and installing domestic and commercial service lines. After 32 years of working for the family’s business, Zach branched away and in May of 2005, he founded Ramstetter Land Design & Management, where he specialized in all phases of landscape design and construction including domestic and commercial water sprinkler systems.
After establishing his own business, Zach became heavily involved in operation, reconstruction, maintenance, and as of recently, management of surface water irrigation ditch systems in the front range area of Colorado. Zach’s experience and current jobs include concrete forming, pouring, and finishing work of irrigation channels, ditch bank support/retention walls, wing walls and headgate structures. He installs flumes and stilling wells with capacity for measurement, telemetry, and solar power supply equipment.
Zach strives to be a lifelong learner. He has always believed in making quality a major part of every project he does. Zach is married to Abeer Ramstetter who is also his administrative assistant. They have 9 adult children. Zach enjoys fishing, hiking, mountain trips, sightseeing and all things involving nature.
AJ Gustern
Farmer Ditch Assistant
AJ was Born in Colorado in 1993 and has always enjoyed the beautiful outdoor environment our state offers. AJ learned some basic hands-on skills in high school through work with his father’s house flipping company. He went on to study abroad in Europe and lived in Italy for a year.
Upon his return, AJ attended CU Boulder, and graduated with a degree in creative writing and biology. After college, AJ went on to live in New York city for five years. There he worked as a freelance photographer, and served as a caretaker for his grandfather. He decided to return to Colorado after his grandfather’s passing.
Once back home, AJ received certifications and worked in pest management with various farms around Colorado. A longtime friend of the former assistant superintendent, Lizza Fulton, he heard about the opportunities and type of work the ditch can offer from her. He took over the job for her and has been working on the ditch since September 2021.
AJ hopes to gain experience working with heavier equipment as he learns more about the needs of the ditch.
AJ is a bachelor, and a bit of a bookworm and gym hound. A 14er enjoyer, and man of many hobbies that include voice, cello, prose, photography, frisbee golf and drip painting to list a few. He is devoted to his cat and two pugs.