Since its inception more than 20 years ago, the Sierra County Farmer’s Market has evolved into a beloved community asset. Regulars know it as an indispensable source of the freshest locally grown produce and fruits, free-range chicken and duck eggs, delectable baked goods, beautiful flowers and unique crafts made by local artisans. It has also become a convivial gathering spot to meet and greet old friends and strike up interesting conversations with new faces. There are patrons’ pet dogs to say hello to and shady trees under which to linger and cool off.
Last season the market had to relocate to the Fish Pond in downtown Truth or Consequences because of the renovation of Ralph Edwards Park, its traditional home base, and COVID-19 restrictions prevented the sales of art and craft items. We’re glad to report that the Sierra County Farmer’s Market is back and as satisfying an experience as ever. Performances by singer Constance Zimmerman and singer-songwriter Hieronymus Bogs (who will play at the market the first and second Saturdays of each month, respectively) add to the upbeat vibe, and the market’s management team is working on booking musicians for the other Saturdays in the month.
Sierra County Farmer’s Market is an initiative of the Bountiful Alliance, a 501(c)3 dedicated to supporting projects that encourage sustainable living, healthy lifestyles and a healthy environment. Federal and state grants channeled through Bountiful Alliance allow the market to play a role in alleviating food insecurity locally by accepting coupons, cards and stamps provided by SNAP, EBT, Double Up Food Bucks and WIC programs.
DATES AND TIMES
Every Saturday from through October 30
8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
LOCATION
Ralph Edwards Park, at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Cedar Street
Improved park access, revitalized grass lawn and plentiful, free parking
Convenient to the T or C’s historic hot springs district and downtown restaurants and retail stores. Why not make a day of “shopping local,” socializing, snacking and soaking!
VENDORS
Orion and Patricia Allen
Specialize in raspberries, also offer some produce, plants grown on their property in Animas Creek
Margaret Branum
Specializes in aloe vera, spider plants and some crafts
Old Monticello Organic Farms
Jane and Steve Darland
Certified Organic Farm. Certified Processors
Produce, herbs, flowers, prepared foods, prize-winning, renowned balsamic vinegar, spices, essential oils, olive and fig trees (while stocks last) and some jewelry. Website
Jardin Del Alma
Joshua Cravens and Lalynn Noek
Jardin del Alma grows and sells a variety of organic produce including kale, cucumbers (lemon), basil, celery, roasted chile peppers (frozen), zucchini, peaches and heirloom tomatoes. The farm uses only natural, organic methods and also offer traditional blacksmith wrought metalwork, weaving and yarn crafts
X-Specially 4 U
Arealia Denby
Essential oils, health and beauty products, crafts
Max Duchamp
Produce, vintage handkerchiefs, flowers
Bees Honey
Daniel and Jennifer Espalin
Honey. At the market the second Saturday of each month
Carla Fairey
Polished stones, fossils, jewelry, produce
Palomas Apple Orchard
Beverly Farr
Apples, fruit, vegetables, eggs
Merced and Rosalina Gomez
Produce including chile, okra, squash, green beans, onions, pecans, tomatoes, eggplant, sweet potatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, jujubes
Dean and Kathy Howell
Plums, pomegranates, shelled pecans, produce, jewelery, crafts
South 40 Farms
Claudia Jeffery and Madeline Jeffery-Williams
Produce, fruit, preserves, jam, jellies, bread, pasta, prepared foods
The Guesthouse Kitchen
Kimberly Rae Jewell
Baked goods so heavenly that you will keep coming back for more. Website
Lanford Livestock
Megan Lanford
Sierra County farm-raised, pastureland, all-natural beef. Refrigerated truck will be parked at the lower east entrance to the park off Riverside Drive every second Saturday. Website
Raggedy Edge Ranch
Heather Rische and Eric Luther
Vegetables, herbs, salves
Ron and Joyce McPherson
Produce and woodwork
June (Jewell) Russett and Nicholas Russett
Paintings, prints, art, plants, produce. Website
Myra Vandy
Produce, plants, soil-building products
NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
4th Street Community Garden
An organic community garden supported by volunteers and provided with water and land courtesy of the City of Truth or Consequences. Selling produce and plants from the community garden at the market. Website
Growing Independence:
Tracy McGowan
Growing Independence will be at the market every Saturday with organic plant starts for your gardens. Chat with volunteer Tracy McGowan about the organization’s purpose, which is to help ensure food security for Sierra County, and its plans to build an earth-battery greenhouse, where organic greens will be grown in order to make these staples available year-round at reasonable cost. Stop by and learn more about the organization’s mission and gardening methodologies. Website
Sierra County Sun
Kathleen Sloan and Luis Rios
The Sierra County Sun, a 501(c)3 educational organization that publishes local government and public-interest reporting online at www.sierracountysun.org, will be selling black-and-white and color postcards of iconic Sierra County scenes photographed by a Sun contributor, Robert Galbraith, a former AP and Reuters photojournalist. Complimentary color broadsheets of recent “Top Stories” will also be available. Sun founder and chief reporter Kathleen Sloan and summer intern Luis Rios invite you to drop by and talk with them about how the Sun is “watching out for your interests.” Website
