The Story of the Institute
Supporting the Farmers’ Market and local farmers since 2002
Our History
The Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute was founded in 2002 by a group of farmers and concerned citizens who hoped to create a permanent home for the Farmers’ Market.
The Market originated in 1968 as a project of the agricultural program of the League of Women Voters, the farmers and the Santa Fe County Extension Office, with six vendors on a church parking lot. It changed locations often, and was cold in winter, so farmers and community members began to consider what it would take to find a permanent location, and ideally, a year-round venue.
In December 1995 the City purchased the 50-acre parcel now known as the Railyard. A community planning process ensued. Farmers’ Market Executive Director Pam Roy and culinary writer Deborah Madison represented the market through the long February 1996 sessions. Public participation in the Community Plan was extraordinarily high. The final plan emerged with the Farmers’ Market as one of the top uses for a portion of the Railyard.
City purchases 50-acre parcel now known as the Railyard. Formerly the home of ABC Lumber and Sears.
Photo: Erika Blumenfeld By permission of the Santa Fe Railyard Community Corporation
Farmers' Market emerges as a top priority for a portion of the Railyard in the community planning process led by a consortium of farmers, including Stan Crawford of El Bosque Garlic Farm.
Location at Ground Stone Farm in Nambé
Nonprofit Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute Incorporation Papers signed.
Sarah Noss hired as Executive Director, a post in which she served through April of 2013. Noss was recognized for her "groundbreaking" work to scale the $5 million mountain to pay for the new building.
Photo: Gabriella Marks Photography
Institute Signs 80-year lease with the City of Santa Fe to lease the land at 1607 Paseo de Peralta, then thought of as "Lot H"
Institute shows the film The Real Dirt on Farmer John at Cinema Café (1616 St. Michaels 'Drive) to raise funds to offset Governor Richardson's $75,000 cut in State Funds for Market operations. The success led to the launch of an agriculturally-oriented seven-year movie series.
Backroad Pizza and a dozen more Santa Fe restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds to the Building Fund, further strengthening the farm to table relationship.
Noted Cookbook Author and Slow-food Activist Deborah Madison speaks at the Institute's Building Announcement. Cameron Construction and Architect Huitt Zollars were announced as Contractors for the project.
Photo: © Seth Roffman Green Fire Times
Farmer Rose Trujillo of Nambé was the first to break ground for the new building, with Eloy Trujillo not far behind. Sarah Noss wielded a pick hammer for the occasion!
Photo: © Seth Roffman Green Fire Times
A sure sign of progress!
Photo: Lisa Kantor Photography
Institute receives a $22,000 grant toward the building fund from a consortium of Los Alamos National Laboratory subcontractors
George Maryol, former proprietor of Tomasita's and longtime supporter makes a challenge grant to the building fund, matching any donors who contribute to the building fund by December 31st up to $100,000.
Farmer Microloan Program launched
Photo: Lisa Kantor Photography
Several distinguished artists donate art for the Building
Gina Telcocci pictured with her sculpture which hangs in the stairwell leading to the administrative offices.
Lease Signed!
Image of Phil Loomis, President of the Farmers’ Market Board of Directors, George Gundrey, Market Manager, Sarah Noss, Executive Director of the Institute, and Matt Romero, President of the Institute Board at the official lease signing with the Farmers’ Market. Photo: Courtesy of the Institute Archive
"Harvester's Homecoming" 25,321 square foot Santa Fe Farmers' Market opens for the first time in the new Market Pavilion owned and managed by the Institute
Market building receives LEED Gold Certification from the US Green Building Council
Fall Fiesta takes place for the first time at the Market Pavilion - an annual event hosted by the Institute featuring local chefs and country music
Photo: Lisa Law
The Santa Fe New Mexican reviews the newly opened Railyard locations of Second Street Brewery, tenant of the Institute
"Chilelicious?!" Green Chile Cheeseburger Smackdown, a collaboration between the City of Santa Fe Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Institute, takes place at the Market Pavilion with local chefs vying for top honors and the People's Choice Award. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Institute.
Photo: Courtesy of Institute
"Salaam-Shalom: A Celebration of Peace" Nonprofit Creativity for Peace hosts a discussion with young women from Palestine and Israel, one of many nonprofit organizations that rent the Pavilion for workshops, conferences, and fundraising events. In 2022 the tradition continued with the Girls Inc. event in the Pavilion.
Photo: Insight Foto Inc. Courtesy of Girls Inc.
"Fall Fiesta" celebration of 10 years in the Market Pavilion takes place
Photo: Gabriella Marks Photography
Del Sur Market opens for the first time at the Presbyterian Santa Fe Medical Center Parking lot on Beckner Road - just off of the busy thoroughfare of Cerrillos Road
Mendez Produce is a family business with mother and son vendors, Felisa Mendez and Victor Mendez represented as vendors at the Del Sur Market. Photo: Gabriella Marks Photography
Institute Board Member and local agriculture advocate Pam Walker penned the article "Local Food and Farms Essential During Pandemic" which ran in the Santa Fe New Mexican
Photo: Lisa Kantor Photography
Popular Free Market Tours resume
Tour leader Mary Dixon (far left) introduces a recent tour to her farmers from Green Tractor Farm. Naturalist, birder, and award-winning writer and tour attendee Priyanka Kumar(far right) 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,” in her forthcoming book. Photo: Christa Dalian
Farmer All Stars Celebrated at Seed The Future Event
First community gathering held in the Market Pavilion post-pandemic. Six All Star Farmers were recognized during the sold-out event.
Double Up Food Bucks Program experienced record-breaking $375,424 distribution to qualifying families – a 152% increase over three years.
Chart showing increase from Annual Report. More information on the Institute’s program Impact may be found on the Annual Report.
20th Anniversary launched with Spring Luncheon
Photo: Genevieve Russell StoryPortrait Media
20th Anniversary free public celebration takes place during the Saturday Railyard Farmers' Market complete with proclamations from the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico State Legislature, a Native American blessing given by Saya’in Circle of Grandmothers from the Tewa Women United, music, environmental entertainment and family-friendly activities.
Signe I. Lindell District 1 Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem and Mayor Alan Webber proclaim June 25, 2022 Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute Day in Santa Fe. Founding Institute Executive Director Sarah Noss and Diane Sandoval-Griego, Board Member and Chief of Financial Empowerment at Guadalupe Credit Union and the Institute’s microloan partner look on.
The Institute hosts a luncheon for the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Farmers, Vendors and Staff in celebration of National Farmers Market Week
Pilar Abadia and Chencho Ochoa dance to the music of Lone Pinon Photo: Adria Malcolm
Partnership between the Institute’s Microloan Program and Remy’s Good Day Fund results in initiative’s first solar installation, which took place at Stanley Crawford’s El Bosque Garlic Farm.
Photo: Adria Malcolm
