Best wishes from the Española Farmers Market for the 2018 holiday season!

From June to October, we're located at 1005 Railroad Avenue in Española, New Mexico (about 25 miles north of the state Capitol of Santa Fe, NM). The market has been operating in Española for over 20 years, and we're going into our 12th year publishing a market blog.

Have you seen our comments link—above? It is a new feature for our blog. And it's an measure of how many residents of Northern New Mexico love the local market, and how the market is thriving.

Follow EspanolaFarmersMarket.blogspot.com

When in doubt, follow us on Twitter.

The Española Farmers Market is closed for the season, but the memories continue!

The Espanola Farmers Market in New Mexico! on Vimeo.

People count on the summer market weekly for not only terrific produce grown locally, but also seeing friends and neighbors! It's also a place for meeting new people, interested like you in stocking up with chiles, all sorts of fruits and vegetables.

Since our blog's founding, we've had as many as 38,000 visitors to our market platform. On months when the market is in operation (June to October each year), it's not unusual to have hundreds of visitors.

Folks might raise their eyebrows at a farmers market blog that tracks people as well as fruits and vegetables. Our blog notes who is buying, how they're preparing recipes, roasting heritage New Mexico chiles, and listening to vintage music. There's much more, and this is best referred to as community—people working together, remembering the old days, and creating a base for something new.

The Española Farmers Markets is an ongoing institution we can all be proud of, now and in the future. What a model of love!

Don't forget to spread the word: "See you at the 2019 market!"

A letter to the editor published in the Rio Grande Sun, after the season's closing!

SEE YOU NEXT SEASON!









Did you see the letter in the Española newspaper this week? Here it is...

 Dear Letters to the Editor:

Thank you to all the customers and growers that made Española Farmers Market vibrant this season. In a year of limited water and changeable weather, the farmers were able to use their well-honed skills to bring abundant harvests to the market each Monday. We also appreciate all the customers who used their SNAP benefit cards at the market; we redeemed $23,899.00 between SNAP and DUFB, distributing healthy local food to the community and amplifying sales for growers.

We also celebrated a public signing of our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a ten-year lease with Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) on the last market day of season that restored what had been a twenty-year lease in our original 2007 MOU.  

Española Farmers Market has occupied the site at 1105 North Railroad Avenue for over ten years. We were awarded this site through a New Mexico State Legislative Appropriation in 2006, “as a permanent site for the Espanola Farmers Market."

Due to the anti-donation clause of New Mexico State, the Market had to select a city, county or state entity as our fiscal sponsor for our legislative proposal. We chose NNMC. At the time, we were already participating in the NNMC Commercial Kitchen through our Jams & Jellies Cooperative and also wanted to honor the long history of NNMC as a land-grant college with an agricultural base. 

We look forward to a new decade of cooperation with NNMC that will strengthen our shared commitment to the rural-based cultures in the Española Valley.

Sabra Moore

Market Manager

Abiquiu, New Mexico

P.S. Stay in touch with us at Twitter.

It's been great seeing you at the Espanola Farmers Market during 2018.

The Espanola Farmers Market is closing for the 2018 season. 

Visit our posts to remind yourself of the terrific season and

 tune in next year when we open again for the 12th season 

of the market blog!

The Espanola Farmers Market has been operating for more than 20 years!

From Sabra Moore, Española Farmers Market manager:

"Marguerite Kearns has been the editor for our market blog site EspanolaFarmersMarket.blogspot.com for many years. The blog especially has an impact on people from out of state who often want to visit farmers markets, meet local people and sample regional produce. It also informs the communities nearby about which vegetables are in season or about special events. The blog is crucial to our success as a farmers market."

Don't forget:

SPECIAL CEREMONY ON OCTOBER 29, 2018—Going strong in 2018

Española Farmers Market will be celebrating the end of our market season with a Pot Luck @ noon on Monday October 29, 2018. Customers and growers are all welcome to bring dishes or simply enjoy food together.

We will also have a public signing of our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a ten-year lease with Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) at 11:30 am, shortly before the Pot Luck. Espanola Farmers Market has occupied the site at 1105 North Railroad Avenue for over ten years. We were awarded this site through a New Mexico State Legislative Appropriation in 2006, “as a permanent site for the Espanola Farmers Market”. Due to the anti-donation clause of New Mexico State, the Market had to select a city, county or state entity as our fiscal sponsor for our legislative proposal. At the time, we were already participating in the NNMC Commercial Kitchen through our Jams and Jellies Cooperative and also wanted to honor the long history of NNMC as a land-grant college with an agricultural base. We chose NNMC as our fiscal sponsor. On Monday we will renew that collaboration with signing of the MOU that restores what had been a twenty-year lease in our 2007 MOU and inaugurate a new decade of cooperation and shared commitment to the rural-based cultures in the Espanola Valley.

Market hours are 10am-4pm. October 29^th is also a regular Market Monday; the Market is located at 1105 North Railroad Avenue.  Enjoy the traditional music of Don Bernardo y Los Ultimos midday during every Monday market. Come meet old friends, visit with farmers, and shop for delicious fruits and vegetables freshly picked from the fields. Visitors can find fresh squash and pumpkins, onions, chile, horno-roasted chicos, fresh chard, and other treats. We accept WIC, Senior WIC, DUFB, EBT (SNAP) as well as cash money.Children will be able to select a book from our free Kids’ Book Exchange. You can stroll in our wildflower garden or wander behind the plaza to see what is growing in the Community Fields. Join your neighbors and friends at the Española Farmers Market.  Every market is a special day!

2018 Contest Winners: A special market announcement

WINNERS: ESPAÑOLA FARMERS’ MARKET

NINETEENTH ANNUAL BIGGEST VEGETABLE; BEST POEM CONTEST

October 8, 2018

Vegetable Judge: Sandra Cata, Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area staff             

Poetry: Joan Logghe, poet and gardener, la Puebla, former Santa Fe Poet Laureate

BIGGEST HEIRLOOM PUMPKIN

First Place:                                    Ross Vargas, La Madera

Second Place:                                    Loranzo Quintana, Cuartles                 

Third Place:                                    Jose Velasquez and Josie Gallegos, Alcalde

 

BIGGEST CHILE

First Place:                                    Jose Velasquez, Alcalde                 

Second Place:                                    Lloyd Ferran, Hernandez

Third Place:                                    Josie Gallegos, Alcalde

PRETTIEST RISTRA

First Place:                                    Loranzo Quintana, Cuartles (scare crow holding ristra)

Second Place:                                    Crystal and Alejandro Gonzales, Velarde                 

Third Place:                                    Lloyd Ferran, Hernandez

BIGGEST ROOT VEGETABLE

First Place:                                    Isidro Rodriguez, Chamita

Second Place:                                    Crystal and Alejandro Gonzales, Velarde

Third Place:                                    Raul Rodriguez, El Guique

BIGGEST APPLE

First Place:                                    Rudy Cordova, Hernandez

Second Place:                                    Ross Quintana, Espanola

Third Place:                                    Elias Gomez, Chimayo

ODDEST VEGETABLE

First Place:                                    Luz Lopez, Nambe (kohlrabi)

Second Place:                   Pat Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo (cabbage)

Third Place:                                    Sarahi Ojeda, Espanola

 

WILD CARD VEGETABLE

First Place:                                    Pat Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo (watermelon)

Second Place:                                    Aileen Martinez, El Rito (grapes)

Third Place:                                    Jesus Zavala, Espanola

BIGGEST DRIED GOURD

First Place:                                    Lloyd Ferran, Hernandez

Second Place:                                    Ohkay Owingeh Head Start

BEST CORN

First Place:                                    Raul Rodriguez, El Guique

Second Place:                                    Lloyd Ferran, Hernandez

You can follow the Española Farmers Market on Twitter.

October 29th is the last market day!

Enjoy the traditional music of Don Bernardo y Los Ultimos midday during every Monday Market through October 29th. The Market is located at 1105 North Railroad Avenue. Come meet old friends, visit with farmers, enjoy the display of the big Contest vegetables, and shop for delicious fruits and vegetables freshly picked from the fields. Visitors can find fresh corn, onions, peas, chile, horno-roasted chicos, fresh chard, salad greens and other treats. We accept WIC, Senior WIC, DUFB, EBT (SNAP) as well as cash money.

Children will be able to select a book from our free Kids’ Book Exchange. You will also be able to find free bilingual recipe cards at the Market stalls, giving you ideas for how to prepare some of the tasty produce. You will want to make a collection. You can stroll in our Wildflower Garden or wander behind the plaza to see what is growing in the Community Fields. 

Why settle for vegetables in grocery stores trapped inside small cellophane packages when you have a farmers' market close by to where you live? Produce straight from the garden in a market where you run into friends and family members is something to be treasured.

It's close to the pumpkin and apple pie time of the year when mountains of squash and pumpkins are available for sale at the Española Farmers Market. Carve them into jack-o'-lanterns. Make muffins, fabulous breads and pies. Set a pumpkin on its side, slice off the top, quarter the pumpkin, scoop out the seeds, add water to the pumpkin chucks and bake in a 400 degree oven for an hour, drain, and cook some unforgettable dishes. And the best of all—see you at the market!

When in doubt about location, special events, news and views—hop on board the Espanola Farmers Market by way of our blog and Twitter.

October 8th is a special market day!

Española Farmers Market will be hosting our Nineteenth Annual BIGGEST VEGETABLE & BEST POEM Contest on Indigenous Peoples Day, Monday, October 8, 2018. Market hours are 10am-5pm. Growers active at the Market can enter their impressive vegetables in the following categories: Biggest heirloom pumpkin, Biggest root vegetable, Biggest chile, Oddest vegetable, Wild card vegetable, Prettiest ristra, Best corn, Biggest sunflower head or dried gourd. Students or adults can also read poetry about farming or gardening. Growers and students need to deliver all poems and vegetable contestants to the Market by 10 am on October 8^th Contest Day.  Winners will be announced at 1:00 pm and ribbons awarded. .All participants & winners will be included in next season’s market postcard. 

How did it happen that it's so close to the end of the 2018 market and things are winding down for the season?

There are still several weeks to go. Are you stocking up for the winter? With onions? Squash? Chiles? Pumpkins? If you haven't planned already, start planning now for the lean months ahead. You will be glad you did! Arrive early mornings during the market season when you have access to produce fresh from the field. Be the first in line.

Grow, grow, grow in 2018!

Our farmers and growers are dreaming of large veggies and fruits, poetry, meeting friends and neighbors, and planning for some great feasts!

It's difficult to believe that we're into September already. 

This means that farmers and producers are looking at the fields for several reasons.

They're examining the fields to schedule the optimum time for harvesting.

Examining crops for their size, special interest, and beauty.

Thinking about what friends and customers will be saying when they line up with their shopping lists and plans for special meals and celebrations.

The community farmers' market is one of Northern New Mexico's treasures.

Continue supporting this unique community resource. It's something to be proud of!

Española Farmers Market will be hosting the 19th annual BIGGEST VEGETABLE AND BEST POEM Contest this year. Growers active at the market can enter their impressive vegetables in the following categories: Biggest heirloom pumpkin, Biggest root vegetable, Biggest chile, Oddest vegetable, Wild card vegetable, Prettiest ristra, Best corn, Biggest sunflower head or dried gourd. Already the growers are watching carefully to see what they can submit in the range of categories. Customers and community members love the big celebration once a year... always in October.

Celebrate Labor Day in 2018 on September 3, 2018

We'll be gathering on Monday, September 3, 2018 for the traditional holiday market with surprises, great produce and prices, and good friends. Everything is as you remember from last year. Don't disappoint. Show up! The market opens at 10 a.m.—the recommended time to get there so you can choose from the best fresh from the fields. The usual perks are waiting for you, plus celebrations of our heritage chiles, free books for the young ones, free chile roasting if you buy fresh chiles at the market, music, traditional lunch choices, bargains galore, and fun.

Corn is in, melons, and more!

There's a lot to report on this August. The Española Farmers Market is really booming. Who would have thought this with the usual unpredictibile start of the season?

You can buy lunch at the farmers' market now. Tamales (vegetarian and pork), burritos, and fruit drinks. And many new vendors, over 20 at many Monday markets.

For next week, think fresh corn, cukes, melons, and music on Monday morning. Plus the usual staples. You can get a market t-shirt and farmers market apron at the management tent, as well as the usual free books for young people, one per child.

Heritage chiles are featured on Labor Day Monday.  And free chile roasting when you buy your chiles at the market. See you at the market! It's the usual fun and feasting. Well worth a Monday outing to eat well for the rest of the week!

Great produce you expect and the prices are terrific!!

Well, why not? A growing season isn't the same when you don't visit the farmers market. It is open Mondays throughout the growing season. Why pay more for your special treats when you can chat with the farmers and producers and know that the food is fresh from the field. It isn't shipped across the nation and ocean. It is right here in Northern New Mexico.

No wonder visitors from around the nation and world stop by the market to see for themselves. 

Don't forget the free books for young people. The farmers market is open from June to late October.

At the Espanola Farmers Market—a great deal of remembering!

Welcome to yet another Monday at the summer farmers' market where Northern New Mexico has been headed since mid June. And we continue until October. See you at the market!

Monday market day again—with sights and sounds—taste and visual sensations!

It's Monday morning. Market day in Española. The usual is rarely boring with friends, tastes, growers and customers, and now and again a reminder of fun from last year's market. No, we're not in Spain or Ontario, Canada where the name Española has also been applied. We're in Northern New Mexico and the farmers' market here is a well established institution that contributes to the community all the history and fellowship that more than 20 years of food exchanges can bring. Enjoy the past, the present, and keep the farmers' market healthy and growing.

REMEMBER: Española Farmers Market will be hosting the 19th annual BIGGEST VEGETABLE AND BEST POEM Contest this year in October. And if you haven't seen it yet, we are listed on the market web platform, United in Food.

Meet farmers and growers at the farmers' market!

If you shop commercial food outlets, rarely will you meet the farmers and growers. Some folks would even say, "It's impossible."

This isn't the case when you shop the farmers' market. Surprise yourself with what's in season. Tell friends and family members— "See you at the market!"

We are open Mondays, ten to five, throughout the 2018 season that ends in late October. TIP: Get there early on market days before the good stuff is gone.

Española Farmers Market will be hosting the 19th annual BIGGEST VEGETABLE AND BEST POEM Contest this year. Growers active at the market can enter their impressive vegetables in the following categories: Biggest heirloom pumpkin, Biggest root vegetable, Biggest chile, Oddest vegetable, Wild card vegetable, Prettiest ristra, Best corn, Biggest sunflower head or dried gourd. Already the growers are watching carefully to see what they can submit in the range of categories. Customers and community members love the big celebration once a year... always in October.

We love the farmers' market! Happy 4th of July!

The farmers market in northern New Mexico is one of the region's best kept secrets. The produce is grown by locals for locals and visitors from all over the state and beyond.

We keep you posted with updates, special events, and celebrations. Check in with us often! The market is open Mondays from now through October. See you next Monday!

Get to farmers market early on Mondays....!

Zucchinis and onions are in. Dried chile and chicos are available to enjoy from last fall. There's honey and grass-fed lamb. And come for lunch and sit eating freshly-made burritos or tamales cooked by Ramona Oaxaca at one of the shaded tables in the center. You can watch the students baking pizzas in the horno. It’s best to visit before 2 pm, since many vendors sell out early during the weeks before the monsoons arrive and the harvest develops more strongly with the rains. We are still doubling purchases with the SNAP cards.

The farmers' market is open now for the season!

See you at the Farmers Market opening for 2018!

It's difficult to tell when the farmers market will be at its peak this summer. It usually starts slow and then the produce (always unpredictable) starts coming in. The opening date is the same—June 11, 2018.

OTHER NEWS: "Cooking Up Traditions" with Dexter Trujillo and the students starts on June 18th and that's when visitors to the market, as well as farmers, will get to see food being cooked on the horno. The bathrooms are now functioning.

Give it two weeks and then the market will be oiled and running. Hope to see you there!

June 11, 2018 opening date

June 11 is the market's opening date for 2018. Join us for fun and frolic. And take home some great produce!

A little background about the Española Farmers Market.

People can find the Espanola Farmers Market online!

A website (and related social media) has been launched with the goal of linking communities through food resources. 

United In Food™ provides information about farmers markets/farm stores/co-ops, CSAs, specialty markets, cooking classes, children’s camps, and food festivals/events. The website www.unitedinfood.com provides information about where to find farmers markets and specialty markets; where to find local CSAs and how to join them; where to find cooking classes; where to find children’s camps with a food or agricultural focus; and where to find local food- and agricultural-related events and festivals. We are starting to add cookbooks either written by local authors or showcasing local foods/restaurants. Farm stands and farm-to-table restaurants are on the horizon.

Check out the listing for our market!

REMINDER: June 11, 2018 is our opening day! See you at the market.

The 2018 market season is almost upon us!

The market has been going strong for over 20 years. And the 2018 season is year #11 for our market blog. This means you can check the blog at any time to find out what is going on. 

There are reminders, news of special events, special perks, and much more. If you visit the market and notice all the visitors, you realize they are on to something special. 

See you at the market this year! The market opens June 11, 2018 for the season and runs to the end of October. Throughout the season fresh fruits and vegetables are available on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1005 North Railroad Avenue, Espanola, NM. Come early to get some great stuff!

Get ready for the 2018 farmers' market season!

We will be open Mondays throughout the growing season through the end of October 2018.

Put the market on your calendar! And remember the fun of the past!