There is a lot in bloom this time of year, especially with the recent and most welcome rains. The Journal’s editorial board is pleased to see fruits, vegetables, crops and some new events sprouting, as well as new aspects of long-established events coming to life.
When we say “long-established,” we mean it. The Cortez Farmers Market, which kicks off on Saturday from 8-12 (new hours), was born in 1973 and is the oldest continuously running farmers market in Colorado. Entering its 53rd season, the market is excited to host 52 vendors, rotating food trucks, musicians, new vendors offering yak and bison meat and lamb, and especially to continue to host arts and crafts vendors.
Just six weeks in advance of this weekend’s kickoff, Montezuma County presented the market committee with a new Memorandum of Understanding to renew its rental space adjacent to the county administration building (the MOU in place was last signed in 2012) that disallowed arts and crafts vendors at the market.
It’s understandable the commissioners would want an updated MOU, but not that it would be presented within six weeks of the opening bell, nor that it would dictate that the market couldn’t collect vendor fees (the board agreed to amend this provision on April 23) – as fees pay the market manager, port-a-john rental, insurance and signage – nor which type of vendors the market might include.
This was a red line for the market committee as they would lose some of their longest standing and popular vendors including a young 13-year old entrepreneur jewelry maker being mentored by her mother this season
We understand the BOCC wishing to support agriculture, as does the market – 70% of its vendors are agriculturally-based. They may not all be growers, but there are vendors that make lotion and soap with goat's milk and beef tallow – value-added agriculture at its best. Arts and craft vendors are not crowding out agricultural producers, Rather, an ‘agriculture-first’ market, the committee vets all applications and prioritizes agricultural producers over others.
So what’s caused a decline in producers? COVID, the price of land, and capital expenses have prohibited young farmers from staying in and entering agriculture. Also, Montezuma County farmers know they can sell all their produce and make more money at the Durango Farmers Market, also on Saturdays.
The BOCC disallowed arts and crafts vendors and have never allowed food trucks out of an expressed concern around competition with downtown businesses. At just one weekend day per week, and only 4 hours per day, market committee members were puzzled having never heard this concern.
They shared that the market has served as a business incubator with seven vendors going on to establish brick and mortar business storefronts in Montezuma County in the past twenty years, to the benefit of the businesses and community. The market which runs from June 7 – Oct. 25, “brings people downtown on the weekends to shop, eat, and floats all boats,” says Michelle Martz of Songhaven Farms in Cahone and market committee member.
Martz and market manager Julie Periman are excited about their new location in the Kiva Charter School parking lot (at Empire and Mildred) next to Parque de Vida. This year’s market will feature a rotating band of food trucks and on site parking and room to grow.
Martz expressed disappointment with the commissioners decision. She wished the BOCC would have said, ‘we see you are struggling, let’s find a way to support you,’ so younger farmers see a pathway. It’s all about supporting small business owners,” she said.
Periman expressed thanks to the Kiva Montessori Charter School, Cortez Retail Enhancement Association and the Good Food Collective for their support this year. More information on the market can be found at cortezfarmersmarket.com.
And if you are in the market for more art, be sure to join the first annual Four Corners Studio Tour, June 6-8. Free and open to the public, over 30 local artists and artisans are opening their studio doors in 23 studio tour locations around Montezuma County. All you need to know, including a downloadable and interactive map, is available at fourcornersstudiotour.com.
