Mary Dixon of Green Tractor Farm Reads to Children at the Santa Fe Public Library's Southside Branch with the Assistance of her Grandson Major, who was visiting from New York City. | |
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This year, the chicken or egg paradox is on everyone’s lips. Parents and children alike were thinking about chickens at the January 25th parent-toddler reading at the Santa Fe Public Library’s Southside Branch.
Mary Dixon, a retired preschool teacher and owner of Green Tractor Farm, shared stories from her farm and read to twenty parents and children at the Institute’s first farm book reading. Lindsey Craig and Marc Brown’s Farmyard Beat, a rhythmic story-telling of insomniac farmyard animals, was the hands-down favorite, with all of the children joining in for the refrain: “Chicks can’t sleep, chicks can’t sleep, chicks can’t sleep ‘cause they got that beat!”
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Parents in the room were more likely thinking about the egg supply shortage and high prices. Rose Maura Lorre of The New York Times recently reported on “the increasing number of folks shelling out for ‘inflation chickens’ to offset egg costs and shortages.” She quoted farmer Doug Mahoney who cautioned those considering this do-it-yourself approach. Said Mahoney, “…It’s likely not going to be a money-saving venture. If you’re trying to make up for price hikes on the two-dozen eggs you buy a month, it could actually take years to, uh, recoop what you spend in the process. There are a lot of costs that go into it: infrastructure, feeders, waterers, bedding, medical supplies, the birds themselves.”
Egg producer and vendor Randy Cruz of Cruz Ranch in Sapello, New Mexico concurred. Read More...
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For the children still fascinated by chickens, Institute Operations Director Syri Mongiello will be reading La gallina Cocorina (Clucky the Hen) at the bilingual farm book reading on Saturday, February 25th at 11:30 am at the Santa Fe Public Library’s Southside Branch (6599 Jaguar Drive Santa Fe, N.M. 87507). Healthy snack packs also will be served to everyone attending. Please join us!
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A Burst of Color: Luscious Tomatoes from Kimberly and Steven Martin | |
Steven and Kimberly Martin of Growing Opportunities, Inc. Photo: Courtesy of Kimberly Martin | |
Hydroponic Farming in Action at Growing Opportunities, Inc. Photo: Courtesy of the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market | |
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Boxes of Luscious Growing Opportunities, Inc.Tomatoes Ready for Market !
Photo: Courtesy of the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market
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During the grey and dreary days of February, clamoring for color is a natural tendency. There is no more beautiful, delicious treat than the jewel-toned heirloom tomatoes from Kimberly and Steven Martin’s Growing Opportunities, Inc. farm in Alcalde, NM.
Kim and Steve have been growing their tomatoes hydroponically since 1999. The USDA defines hydroponics as the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil. Kim said that “hydroponics is Steve’s baby – he’s passionate about it.” Hydroponics uses less water than traditional soil-based systems and allows for faster growth and higher yields than traditional soil-based growing systems. Kim added that another benefit is that “we know exactly what nutrients the plants are receiving because we mix the micro and macro nutrients ourselves.”
The couple farms year-round in their greenhouses, producing 130,000 pounds of tomatoes on a quarter of an acre of land. They currently employ four full-time and two part-time farm workers. It seems like the perfect growing method for New Mexico, where water usage is a serious issue and the growing season is constrained by early and late frosts. Read more...
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The Institute's Website is Open for Everyone! | |
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Have you visited the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute’s new website? It is THE place to find up to date news, program information, farmer profiles, and delicious recipes! And the content is available in English and in Spanish, just by toggling. Click your preferred language at the top right corner of the website, and stay informed and engaged with the Institute!
¿Ha visitado el nuevo sitio web del Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute? Es EL lugar para encontrar noticias actualizadas, información sobre programas, perfiles de agricultores y deliciosas recetas! El contenido está disponible en inglés y en español, con solo alternar. Haz click en tu idioma preferido en la esquina superior derecha del sitio web y mantente informado e involucrado con el Instituto!
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The Institute Hosts the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Senior Lifestyle Expo | | |
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On Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute is pleased to serve as the venue sponsor for the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Senior Lifestyle Expo.
The 2023 Santa Fe Senior Lifestyle Expo will provide health and wellness screenings, seminars, product samplings, resources, information, prize drawings, and more for Santa Fe’s active seniors. Thousands of seniors have benefited from this event in past years, and we hope to welcome you this year!
Admission is free to the Market Pavilion (1607 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501).
Sorry, as with Market days, NO pets are allowed.
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Need a Ride to the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market?
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These rides can be used for any need or reason related to:
- Health • Food • Shelter/Housing • Employment • Education
- Legal Services • Economic Stability
The program is low barrier, can be accessed through a short phone call, and requires no documentation.
Minimal eligibility requirements are:
- Caller must be over the age of 18,
- A resident of Santa Fe county (Rides must begin in Santa Fe but can take the rider outside county lines),
- The needed transportation is due to an eligible reason listed above,
- Participants must request rides at least two (2) business days before the required scheduled time of pick up. Reservations for rides may be made Monday-Friday between 8:30AM – 4:30PM, although pick-up times are available 24/7. Unanticipated rides may be scheduled on a space-available basis.
How do I schedule a ride?
By calling 211 or (505) 245-1735 for google voice users, riders who have a smart phone and Lyft app can receive a credit towards rides. Those without a smart phone can still dial 211 to have FREE rides scheduled for them.
Thanks to Molina Healthcare for their sponsorship of this important service!
So plan ahead and join us at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market regularly!
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The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute’s mission is to advocate for farmers, ranchers and other land-based producers; provide equitable access to fresh, local food; own and operate a year-round venue for the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market; and manage programs to help sustain a profitable, locally-based agricultural community. | |
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS! | |
These lead sponsors help ensure the sustainability of the northern New Mexico food system as well as nurture the agricultural community and the customers that make the Santa Fe Farmers' Market so successful.
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