Seed The Future Celebration
Photo captions (clockwise from upper left): Longtime Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute patron Linda Osborne welcomes new Santa Fe resident Robert Jones; Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Board President Jennifer Fresquez of Monte Vista Organic Farm and Board Member Manny Encinias of Trilogy Beef Community enjoy a moment together; Winter wonderland – the full room view; auctioneer Mark C. Johnson, Director of Sales and Business Development for New Mexico Fresh Foods led the successful paddle-raise; Greg Sellers, a guest of Pam Walker (Santa Fe Farmer’s Market (SFFMI) Vice Chair), participates in the fundraiser; Green Tractor farmers Rose O’Connell-Marion and Dan Bohnhorst dance to the Rhombus Quartet; Santa Fe Farmer All Stars (l-R) Houstin Maxwell and Diego Romero of Rey Romero Farm; Marie Carter of El Jardin De Flores, Susan Higgins of Sungreen Living Foods LLC, Frances and Eloy Trujillo of EFT Farms, and Veronica Mendez and Ashley Delvo accepting for Mendez Produce; Kenneth E. Romero, CTO, Market President of New Mexico Bank & Trust and Mary Dixon, Secretary, Board of Directors Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute present a Farmer All Star Award to Grant and Val Wilson of Lotus Farms, LLC; Former Executive Director Sarah Noss who spear-headed the campaign for the LEED-Gold Certified Market building pictured with current Executive Director Andrea Fisher Maril; SFFMI Board Chair Michael Knight looks on as Anna Griswold delivers testimonials on the Double Up Food Bucks Program at the podium decorated with Marie Carter’s wreath; Trinidad Mendez tells his story on one of six videos of the 2021 Farmer All Stars created by Cut Print Video Production. Photo credit: Jane Phillips Photography
The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute welcomed the local farming community to the Market Pavilion (1607 Paseo de Peralta) on Thursday evening, December 9th for a celebration titled Seed The Future. It was the first gathering since 2019, and 200 guests registered to attend.

Institute Board Chair Michael Knight and Executive Director Andrea Fisher Maril reflected on the Institute’s past, profiled the organization’s programs (including a presentation by microloan recipient Asher Singer of Reyah Sunshine Farm, LLC. and moving Double Up Food Bucks testimonials shared by Market Programs Manager Anna Griswold), and planted seeds for the future.

Six outstanding farmers and farms were recognized with awards presented by Kenneth E. Romero, CTO, Market President of New Mexico Bank & Trust and Mary Dixon, Secretary, Board of Directors Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute a 2013 Farmer All Star for her Green Tractor Farm. Videos of the deserving farms were also shown to the delight of the audience. All are invited to view the videos on our website which will be posted by the start of the New Year.

The farms recognized were:
Eloy and Frances Trujillo of EFT Farms, Chamita, NM 
Marie Carter of El Jardin De Flores, Chimayo, NM 
Grant and Val Wilson of Lotus Farms, LLC Tijeras, NM 
Trinidad and Victor Mendez of Mendez Produce, El Guique, NM 
Reynaldo and Diego Romero of Rey Romero Farm, La Cienega, NM 
Susan Higgins of Sungreen Living Foods LLC, Santa Fe, NM

Jacqueline “Jackie” Gibbs, Culinary Program Director for YouthWorks! oversaw the catering of the event. YouthWorks! is a cutting-edge, innovative organization offering a continuum of services designed to reconnect “at-risk” and disadvantaged youth with our community through education, employment training, and job placement. David Sundberg, who curated the farm-fresh bohemian menu, will be joining the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute Team as Program Development Director in January (see article below). Menu ingredients were sourced from the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market thereby supporting local agriculture. Second Street Brewery, Gruet Winery, and La Mesa Farms were the generous beverage sponsors.

In addition to delicious food, beer, and wine guests enjoyed the “earthy jazz” of the Rhombus Quartet led by guitarist Ross Hamlin.

A successful paddle-raiser led by auctioneer Mark C. Johnson, Director of Sales and Business Development for New Mexico Fresh Foods raised funds for the Institute’s programs. Board Vice Chair Pam Walker closed the evening with words of gratitude for those who gathered and contributed to the success of the evening.

Of particular note were the twenty volunteers who gave of their time and talent, and the business sponsors who supported the event. Please show your gratitude to these Santa Fe businesses with your patronage.
Institute welcomes David Sundberg
David Sundberg was born and raised in Missouri, where his father was an obsessive gardener, and his mother is an exceptional cook. He gained his passion for fresh food by digging in the dirt and helping in the kitchen.  

David graduated from the school of Hotel & Restaurant Management at the University of Missouri – Columbia, after which he built his culinary chops working and staging under numerous chefs. He has traveled and worked extensively throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Europe while cultivating his palate and passion for food and food history.  

Relocating to Rhode Island with his future wife, Stefanie, David wrote for local publications, taught cooking classes, and worked for numerous restaurants and caterers. They moved to New Mexico in 2009, drawn by the enormous skies, breathtaking mountains and the belief that the effort it takes to live in this challenging environment builds stronger relationships within the community and deepens connection with place.  

David has worked locally at Red Sage at Buffalo Thunder and Tierra at Encantado, Blue Corn Brewery, Sirphey and Harry’s Roadhouse. He decided to leave the hospitality industry in 2020 to pursue his passion supporting local food and farmers. He currently co-chairs the Santa Fe Food Policy Council and works with numerous local non-profits and organizations to create policies that support local agriculture, food access and health and nutrition in our communities. He’s built strong relationships with producers and provides access to useful knowledge and opportunities critical to developing a sustainable regional food system.

Working for the Institute will allow David to engage with amazing local farmers beyond purchasing and policy work. “David says he’s thrilled to fill the position of Program Director at the Farmers Market Institute, and we’re thrilled to have him on board,” says Executive Director Andrea Maril. “He’s a skilled communicator and networker and that will help us expand the ecosystem of producers, consumers and support organizations.” 

A Special Giving Opportunity
for Those 70½ Years Old and Older
You can give any amount (up to a maximum of $100,000) per year from your IRA directly to a qualified charity such as the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute without having to pay income taxes on the money. Gifts of any value $100,000 or less are eligible for this benefit and you can feel good knowing that you are making a difference at the Institute. This popular gift option is commonly called the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also see it referred to as a qualified charitable distribution.

Why Consider This Gift?

  • Your gift will be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference your donation is making.
  • Beginning in the year you turn 72, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD).
  • You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.
  • Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level. This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.

When do I need to make my gift?

We must receive your gift by December 31, 2021 for your donation to qualify this year. If you have check-writing features on your IRA, please be aware that your check must clear your account by December 31st to count toward your required minimum distribution for the calendar year.
About the Institute
The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute was founded in 2002 to raise funds for an affordable space where farmers could sell their goods year round. After the Farmers’ Market Pavilion opened in 2008, the Institute expanded its mission to include developing economic resources for farmers and growing access to healthy, locally grown food for northern New Mexicans.

We deeply appreciate your support for our efforts to connect families with local food, to provide economic services to our farmers, as well as an affordable space where farmers can sell their goods year round. Want to get to know the Institute better? We’d love to take you on a tour of the market and talk to you about the programs we provide. Just email janice@farmersmarketinstitute.org to get more information.
How You Can Help
MISSION STATEMENT
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.