About

Questa Farmers Market is a program of Localogy, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Questa, NM.

Our goals

  • support small-scale producers in Questa and nearby communities
  • offer fresh, local produce, supporting a healthy local economy
  • provide a venue for small farms, gardens, musicians and entrepreneurs
  • create a vibrant, seasonal, weekly event that enlivens community life
  • create jobs for teens with our internship program

Our market story

Questa Farmers Market originated as the Northern NM Growers and Makers Exchange (the 2016 market project of LEAP), which grew, too, from a five-week fall market in 2015. There’s a longer history of farmers markets in Questa in previous years; all of these inspired the inception of QFM.

This market serves agriculturalists in Questa and nearby communities, as well as supports economic development. It provides residents access to fresh, local produce and supports community activity, exchange and unity. It creates more options for farmers and gardeners by adding another day of the week that a farmers market functions in northern NM.

We have a Paid Youth Internship Program (since 2019) to make sure youth are able to bring their perspective, hopes, questions and vision. Together we’re creating a market place to support small and micro local businesses and we’re doing our part to help regenerate the agricultural community in northern Taos County.

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Our farmers market works to support vendors who sell local produce and local food. With this mission, the QFM is an outlet for small farms and gardens.

All our vendors, Questa and the surrounding communities, and our visitors ~ each of you make this market possible.

In addition, operations at QFM depends on:

Gaea McGahee, Program Director
Alex Medina, Vendor / Market Manager
Lorie Jaramillo, Gardener, Market Volunteer
Wendy Medina, Vendor, San Cristobal Kitchen Manager, Market Volunteer

Responsibility / Roles
– Market & garden volunteers: promote QFM & recruit vendors, help clean site and care for gardens
– San Cristobal Kitchen Manager: handles questions about food permits
– Market Managers: handles questions about SNAP/DUFB/WIC and Senior Nutrition Farm Program, promotes & advertises, & recruits vendors, preseason coordination, track economic data

Our advertising and music program is supported by grants, vendors fees, other funding, and we are very grateful for the help of volunteers.

Since 2017 QFM has received financial support from these organizations:

The LOR Foundation
Chevron Community Grants for Good
Questa Economic Development Fund
New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association, promotional funds
Taos Community Foundation Impact Grant Funding
Taos Community ARPA (American Rescue Plan) Funding
LANL Education Enrichment Grant, two-year
North American Mission Board

Local businesses:
Questa Lumber
Ortega Gravel

And the energy and efforts of supporters, promoters, radio hosts, and community members of all ages.

We pursue funding to build market infrastructure, sustain market operations, promote and advertise, support an online presence, as well as a community presence, including music and events at the market. Thank you for your support!

A bit more history:

Our Market was able to accept SNAP/EBT benefits, and participate in the Double-up Food Bucks program, as well as WIC and the Senior Nutrition Farm Program. We accepted benefit payments until June 30, 2024. During the 2025 season we will not participate in these food benefit programs. Our participation was dependent on having enough NM growers – local farms and garden from NM within 100 miles of our market (per NMFMA guidelines). 

We are a community on the border of two states and we welcome producers from Colorado. This makes local produce available and supports the overall health of people, and place.