For the past 5 or so years the Los Alamos Farmers Market has held a winter market at the Fuller Lodge.

2014 season starts at the Fuller Lodge
• January 9th 8-Noon
• February 13th 8-Noon
• March 13th 8-Noon
• April 10th 8-Noon

This year is no exception, our winter season started with two Holiday markets in Dec. the 12th and 19th at the Fuller Lodge.

Los Alamos Farmers Market is going into our 44th season. It’s been said that it is the oldest farmers market in the state. It’s gone through a lot of changes over the years as do most markets, but Los Alamos has stayed true to being a farmers market with very little crafts the at market.Most craft items at market are made by the farmers or producers that either grow, raise or gather most or a portion of what the product is made of.

The past several year’s farmers have faced extreme weather issues ranging from not enough water to no water at all, hail storms and even hard freezing in late May into June leaving some farmers with no or little fruit to sell at markets. Farming in such harsh conditions can take a toll on farmers and producers, some have even changed what they grow and how. So ask yourself next time you’re buying a piece of fruit or a vegetable at the store, can I buy this locally?

By buying locally you can invest in local farming and farmers, you can also taste the difference in what you eat and feed your families.

There are a surprising number of goat dairies in New Mexico, but few are as professionally run as the Old Windmill Dairy in McIntosh, near Estancia. That’s probably because instead of getting a few goats and then learning how to make cheese (as most people do), Ed and Michael Lobaugh started with a goal in mind, did the required research, scrounged for funding, and then built the dairy and bought the goats. That took years, and then it was 2007 when they achieved Grade-A status.

Now, a few years further down the road, they not only make wonderful cheeses from their goat milk, but they are also venturing into cow cheeses, milk & butter—try the flavored cream cheeses! Oh, and the mozzarella! And if you have a yen to make your own cheese, you can take classes at the dairy, too.

Old Windmill Dairy has been coming to market for about 6 to 7 years and have been a wonderful addition to the market.

Come check out our next market and see all the wonderful vendors for yourself.Shop fresh! Shop local!