Free Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute Tours Enter the Home Stretch! |
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A stroll through the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market follows where tour members see the wide variety of what’s growing locally, and talk with farmers’ about their crops and experiences. The tours provide an exceptional opportunity to learn how the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute supports local small-scale farmers through impactful programs while assisting shoppers by providing reliable access to affordable, nutritious food..
Recently, author Priyanka Kumar toured the Market with Mary Dixon. She said, “I began going to the Santa Fe Farmers' Market over a decade back when it was still held in parking lots near the Capitol or DeVargas Mall. The Market has come a long way since! I stopped going during the pandemic, but the ‘Seed the Future Market’ tour pulled me back and clarified for me the gift of the Tuesday Market. I also enjoyed speaking with farmers about water and acequia-related issues that I am researching for my upcoming book, The Light Between Apple Trees. A big thanks to Mary for leading the tour!"
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The 2021 tours will end on Tuesday, November 23, 2021.
Each FREE tour is limited to ten guests, so register now by clicking here.
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Photo captions (clockwise from upper left): Tour leader Mary Dixon (far left) introduces a recent tour to her farmers from Green Tractor Farm. Priyanka Kumar is pictured in the front row, right.
A naturalist, birder, and award-winning writer, Kumar illuminates the gift of the land as she takes readers on journeys to historic and wild fruit orchards, to ancient forests, and along pollinator corridors.” Photo: Christa Dalian
Kimberly Ortiz, Jazmin Rodriguez Lopez, and Leslie Pena are pictured at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute’s tour. The students are enrolled in "AP Environmental Science" and "Intro to Sustainability" (A dual credit course with SFCC). Photo: Christa Dalian
Executive Director Andrea Fisher Maril provides an orientation to the Market and Institute in the LEED-Gold Certified Market Pavilion. Photo: Christa Dalian
Schoolteacher Ty McCormick gathers students under the Railyard Water Tower in Santa Fe. The students represented 10th to 12th graders at The Monte del Sol Charter School. Their Market experience began with an orientation to the Market given by Program Manager Anna Griswold.
Photo: Christa Dalian
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Grace, Flexibility, and a Good Night’s Sleep: Val Wilson’s Secrets of Success |
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The popular proverb, “if you want something done, ask a busy person” fits New Mexico native Val Wilson to a 'T'. Wife to Grant, mother of two elementary school children, poultry and pig farmer, Director of Veterinary Operations for Animal Humane New Mexico and a newly minted Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute Board Member, Val does it all.
We caught up with Val as she and her husband Grant were named 2021 Farmer All Stars by the Santa Fe Farmers Market Institute. “We feel very honored to be recognized as a 2021 Farmer All Star,” says Val. “We know how hard every farmer works and their dedication to providing food to our local community. The Santa Fe Farmers Market and Institute have always been incredibly supportive, so we are so appreciative for their continued support through this recognition.”
Earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, she reported that “I did take meat science courses, however I didn’t anticipate becoming a protein farmer and utilizing those skills.”
Val combines her studies in a unique way, forging the farming philosophy of Lotus Farms with her husband. “We believe in sustainable and humane practices on our farm. We believe that every animal deserves the right to thrive in their natural environment. Feeding our animals organically is also very important.”
She also believes her children benefit from growing up on an organic farm. “Our children fully understand the importance of raising our own animals for meat. They have learned that not all farming practices are created equally and that some models are not sustainable or healthy for our environment. Just as I learned from helping my parents with their small business over the years, they also know first-hand how much effort goes into running a small business and frequently help sell our product at the Market.”
More than 50% of the farmers participating in the Santa Fe Farmers Market are women. We asked Val if she had any insights or advice for women in agriculture about juggling so many facets of life successfully. Her immediate response – “Go to bed early and make lists! I’m a very organized person and I have a lot of to-do lists that are separated out by task. I think all women have an innate ability to be highly productive and efficient; I thrive in a chaotic environment but understand that’s not true for everyone. Some weeks everything is accomplished and other weeks the bare minimum. I think giving yourself grace and flexibility to complete tasks is important, especially as a farmer.”
With everything on her list, what motivated Val Wilson to join the Board of the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute? “Having been employed for a nonprofit organization for over six years, I fully understand the importance of a well-rounded board of directors. I felt that my knowledge of protein farming and history of working in a nonprofit would bring a unique perspective to the board. I also realized that many farmers don’t have access to or know where to find resources. The same is true for the local community, as they do not know what resources are available to find local food.”
We’ll learn more about Val and Grant Wilson on Thursday, December 9th at the Institute’s Seed The Future celebration, as they are profiled and receive their commendation as a 2021 All Star Farmer, along with five other deserving New Mexican farms.
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Grant Wilson of Lotus Farms Shares his Favorite Chicken Recipe |
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Cast Iron Skillet Chicken
- 1 3½-4 lb fryer, cut up into 8 pieces
for the seasoning:
- 2 t. salt
- 2 t. paprika
- 1 t. black pepper
- 1/2 t. onion powder
- 1/2 t. granulated garlic
- 1/2 t. dried thyme
- 2 T. butter
Place heavy #10 or #12 skillet (think modern Lodge) in cold oven and set to 450°F.
While while oven (and pan) preheats, mix up seasoning ingredients. Cut whole chicken into pieces: legs, thighs, breast halves, wings. Trim excess fat and skin as desired. Save backbone and wing tips for making stock.
Pat pieces dry with paper towel. Sprinkle both sides with seasoning, as evenly as possible.
Carefully remove very hot pan from preheated oven to stovetop. Melt butter in pan (no need to turn on burner).
Arrange chicken pieces in skillet skin side down. Roast in oven 15 minutes. Flip pieces skin side up and roast 15 more minutes or until 165°F in breast, 175°F in thigh. Remove to platter and rest 5 minutes. Reserve buttery, seasoned pan juices to drizzle over chicken.
Serves 2-4.
The recipe is easy enough so as to be virtually foolproof. While the seasoning and high heat cook result in flavorful and visually appealing chicken, my experience is that it does not necessarily result in the crispy skin the ATK recipe promises. It does, however, result in very juicy chicken, both light and dark meat. You can also purchase already cut up fryers for a little more money and trim to your liking. Or if skin-on chicken breasts are on sale, that's another option. If on the smaller side, they will be done in 22-24 minutes total.
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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.
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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. |
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS! |
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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.
Support the businesses that support your community!
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