ONLY TWO MARKETS LEFT IN 2008

October 20 and October 27th are the last farmers' markets for 2008. The vendors' tables are groaning with produce. Apples. Winter squash. Cukes. Onions. Garlic. Honey. And much more. Stock up for the winter.

ESPANOLA FARMERS' MARKET ON THE RADIO -KUNM

For the entire story on KUNM Radio, SELECT THIS LINK.

WINNERS OF NINTH ANNUAL VEGETABLE & BEST POEM CONTEST

Joan Logghe read some of the winning poems.

It’s been a fabulous year at the Espanola Farmers Market. On one day in August when there was a tracker, 1300 people showed up. “Our customer base has mushroomed,” said Sabra Moore, the market manager for the past nine years. On Monday, October 6th Sabra spoke to Deborah Begel of KUNM radio who will air a special radio feature about the market’s vegetable and poetry contest on the station this week. Are the gas prices keeping people at home and they're viewing the market differently? Is the market’s success because the produce prices are so reasonable? Is it because everyone wants to support their neighbors growing fresh fruit and vegetables? Or is it because the new market site is so appealing and accessible?

The annual vegetable contest demonstrates “...the perseverance of the farmers to adapt to local conditions,” Sabra Moore told the KUNM reporter who also interviewed shoppers, the vegetable and poetry judges. The new chapbook available for participants is "A Farming Chapbook Double Issue 2005-2006." The double issue for this year's contest (2007-2008) will be available next season. The book is free to participants but will cost $5 for others. Poetry winners will have their work published in the 2008 chapbook which can be picked up at the last market of 2008 on October 27th.

Each summer over 1,000 books for young people are distributed through the free children’s book exchange. Other new items include a compost bin for the flower garden and plans to expand the size of the market toward the back of the property and someday construct an adobe building for market events and meetings.

WINNERS ESPANOLA FARMERS’ MARKET NINTH ANNUAL BIGGEST VEGETABLE & BEST POEM CONTEST: October 6, 2008, Vegetable Judge: Chellis Glendinning/Poetry Judge: Joan Logghe

BIGGEST HEIRLOOM SQUASH
First Place: Eufelia Martinez, La Puebla
Second Place: Nicolas Romero, Vadito
Third Place: Mathias Mares, Chimayo

BIGGEST PUMPKIN
First Place: Elefio and Seraphine Montoya, Chimayo

BIGGEST APPLE
First Place: Eddie Esquibel, Dixon
Second Place: Susie Lucero, Dixon
Third Place: Seraphine Montoya, Chimayo

BIGGEST CHILE
First Place: Rosa Espinosa and Antonio Velasquez, Chimayo
Second Place: Luz & Leonard López, Nambe
Third Place: Rudy and Bernie Córdova, Hernandez

BIGGEST ROOT VEGETABLE
First Place: Nicolas Romero, Vadito
Second Place: Eufelia Martinez, La Puebla
Third Place: Eufelia Martinez, La Puebla

WILD CARD
First Place: Josie Gallegos, Velarde (giant corn)
Second Place: Luz López, Nambe (eggplant)
Third Place: Carmelita Martinez (basket of tiny vegetables)

VERY SPECIAL CATEGORY
Giant Pumpkin: Jeff Sandoval, Los Alamos

ODDEST VEGETABLE
First Place: Carmelita Martinez, La Puebla
Second Place: Elefio Montoya, Chimayo
Third Place: Rudy and Bernie Córdova, Hernandez

BEST POEM
First Place: Georgia Redd
Second Place: Sarah Blog
Third Place: Sachiko Cooper Dasilva
Honorable Mention: Vanessa Gonzales