Valencia County has a long tradition in farming and makes significant economic contributions to our local economy! According to the 2012 Agricultural Census, the farm contribution was worth $55,765,000. So it is not time to pave over the entire county or make anti-farm and animal rules or even take away acequia and water rights from the land. The potential for local people to help the local economy through this one occupation is immense. The local farmers markets are great ways to help our local economy, continue the tradition and strengthen independent businesses.
Recent years have been a challenge for our Los Lunas Farmers Market. The market was moved around so many times because of fire bans near the river that people didn’t know where to find it or thought it was no longer in existence. But, fortunately, support from the Village of Los Lunas allowed us to find the new location near Heritage Park! You can help by spreading the word and shopping at our market.
The Bosque Farms Growers Market is 4 years old. This market starts a little earlier in the spring than the Los Lunas Farmers Market. One great thing about this market is the locally grown garden starts are available in larger quantities at this market.
Consider that local farmers and local consumers help each other in several ways. There is the food itself. Locally grown means it was not shipped from far away, which most often means fresher food, which means higher nutrition content in the same quantity of food, and it is often less expensive to purchase at the market! Better nutrition leads to better health. Local farmers do that! Following the money, it has been shown that money spent at the local farmers markets circulate longer in the local economy than money spent at a big box store. When you buy at a market, you are helping employment and money to circulate in the local economy for longer periods of time. Then the farmer can pay for what the farmer needs. You do that! This is good for local people!
Valencia County Farmers Markets 