The Farmer All-Star Awards are one way the Institute acknowledges the hard work of the farmers, ranchers, and other land-based producers who are the driving force behind the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, as well as community members who support all aspects of local agriculture and the local food system and who are dedicated supporters of the Institute’s work.
We are excited to announce the vendor awardees of the 2019 Farmer All-Star Awards: Malandro Farm, RZ’s Bees, and SunStar Herbs. Please join us at the Community Picnic “Global Flavor Local Lunch” on Sunday, August 25 from 12-3pm, where we will present them with their awards. Tickets available here.
Each year, after much thought and reflection, three farms are selected by a committee of their peers. This committee of farmers bases their decision on criteria such as tenure at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, involvement with the Market and/or Institute, contributions to the over-all agricultural community of northern New Mexico, knowledge-sharing and mentoring, community outreach, innovation, etc.
The first Farmer All-Star awards were given to three community members to honor their work in seeing the Market Pavilion go from an idea in 1997 to a permanent home for the Market in 2008. Eight years later, we resumed honoring one community member each year. From 2009 to 2018, the Institute awarded 30 invaluable vendors who have shown a strong commitment to local agriculture, to our beloved Market, and to people across northern New Mexico.
Our list of amazing producers and supporters keeps growing, while continuing to reflect the diversity of our community and the bounty produced in northern New Mexico. When reading these names, it is clear why the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market is consistently listed among the best markets in the country.
Even though times have changed since the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market started over 50 years ago, our farmers have preserved the rich agricultural heritage of New Mexico while building a market that is more robust and vibrant than ever before. In recognizing these farmers’ and community members’ accomplishments, we are inspired and confident we will have the opportunity to honor many more people for years to come.
Farmer All-Stars, 2008 – 2019
2008
For their hard word in manifesting the Farmers’ Market Pavilion:
Bruce Geiss
Joan Brooks Baker
Georgia Maryol
2009
Rancho LLAM – Levi and Angelina Valdez (current vendor)
El Bosque Garlic Farm – Stan and RoseMary Crawford (current vendor)
La Loma Segura – Carmen and Leo Sagura
2010
Love & Leche (formerly Milk & Honey Soap) – Daven Lee (current vendor)
Zamora’s – Tony and Helen Zamora (current vendor)
Mr. G’s Organic Produce – Gary and Natasya Gundersen (current vendor)
2011
Martinez Farms – Tina Martinez
Gilberto’s Farm – Gilbert and Isabel Naranjo (current vendor)
Romero & Naranjo Farm – Sam and Sophie Romero
2012
Ice’s Organic Farm – Ron and Gayle Ice (current vendor)
Flor del Rio – Anna Mae Salazar (current vendor)
Pat Montoya Family Orchards – Pat and Juanita Montoya (current vendor)
2013
Shepherd’s Lamb – Antonio and Molly Manzanares (current vendor)
Stephenson Natural Farm – Ronnie Stephenson
Green Tractor Farm – Tom and Mary Dixon (current vendor, passed on to next generation)
2014
Jacona Farm – Phil Loomis (current vendor)
Anna Maria’s Farm – Pilar Abadia (current vendor)
Vigil’s Chimayo Produce – Glora and Noel (d.) Trujillo (current vendor)
2015
Monte Vista Organic Farm – Dave and Loretta Fresquez (current vendor)
Gonzalez Farm – Jose Gonzalez and Maria Mandujano (current vendor)
Camino de Paz School & Farm – Greg Nussbaum and Patty Pantano (current vendor)
2016
Cedar Grove Nursery & Farm – Daeschel Family (current vendor)
Santa Cruz Farm & Greenhouses – Don Bustos and Nery Martinez (current vendor)
Revolution Farm – Alex Pino (current vendor)
Pam Roy, Farm to Table
2017
Nambe Orchards – Dave Vigil (current vendor)
One Straw Farm – Ric Gaudet (current vendor)
Jubilee Farms – Brett Ellison (current vendor)
Deborah Madison, Chef/Author/Teacher
2018
La Mesa Organic Farms – Mesa Ruiz (current vendor)
Second Bloom Farm – Deb Wood & Family (current vendor)
Jesus Guzman Produce (current vendor)
Matt Yohalem, Chef
2019
Malandro Farm – Lisa Anderson and Jim Benson
RZ’s Bees – Ricardo Sanchez and Deborah Hayes-Sanchez (d.)
SunStar Herbs – Becky and David Thorp
Senator Tom Udall