Award for Española Farmers Market- January 2019

                                               Sabra Moore, Market Manager; Steve Jaramillo, Board President;
                                               Norma Narvarro, Market Assistant Manager; receive award for 
                                               Espanola Farmers Market honored as Best Farmers Market 2019 
                                               during Food and Farms Day at the NM State Legislature, 
                                               January 24, 2019. Photo: Marguerite Kearns.

Best Farmers Market of the Year for New Mexico-Join us in the celebration on January 24, 2019!

Espanola Farmers Market will be honored as BEST FARMERS’ MARKET OF THE YEAR  on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at the New Mexico State Capitol during Food & Farms Day, an event sponsored by Farm to Table. Join us at the Legislature for the awards ceremony in the Rotunda of the Roundhouse from 10 am- 12 noon.

There are several categories of awards during this 10am- 12 noon ceremony:

● Farmer of the Year:                                     Buzz Graves, Graves Farm & Garden, Chaves

●Outstanding Organization of the Year:       La Montanita Food Cooperative, Chad Jones, Board President and colleagues

●Educational Program/Educator of the Year Aldo Leopold Charter School, Silver City

●School Garden of the Year                           James Elementary, Portales

●School Food Service of the Year                 Marie Johnston, Farmington

 

●Farmers’ Market of the Year                         Espanola Farmers Market, Espanola

●Double Up Food Bucks Champion of the Year   Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute, Santa Fe

Espanola Farmers Market is inviting farmers and friends to join us at the Capitol on January 24^th to celebrate this recognition of the hard and joyful work of farming and providing healthy local food to our community.Espanola Farmers Market is inviting farmers and friends to join us at the Capitol on January 24^th to celebrate this recognition of the hard and joyful work of farming and providing healthy local food to our community.

On the rostrum to receive the award for the Española Farmers Market on January 24th will be Sabra Moore, long-time and much-loved market manager, along with Steve Jaramillo and Norma Navarro. Jaramillo is a native of El Guache. He is a long-time vendor at Espanola Farmers Market who brings a variety of organic vegetables cultivated in his fields and hoop house in Espanola. He returned to farming after retiring from work as an electronics designer for Los Alamos National Laboratory, and he is currently President of the Espanola Farmers Market Board of Directors.

Norma Navarro has worked as Assistant Manager of Espanola Farmers Market for over seven years. She also works as a doula with the Birth of My Heart program of Tewa Women United. She is a certified acupuncturist and an accomplished weaver.

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.