October 30, 2011 was our last market and was the end of VAN RIPER FARM as currently recognized. We have downsized and now  grow only asparagus, raspberries and gourds commercially. We still grow vegetables for ourselves.

We began farming in 2003.  We set up our first table, no tent, at the Corrales' Growers’ Market hoping to sell the surplus of vegetables we had in our small, personal garden. The Corrales Growers Market was small at that time with no more than a dozen vendors. It was a pleasant and successful experience! In the morning before the market we were able to pick everything we had for sale – not a big deal. So we went back the next week, and pretty soon we were making plans for a bigger garden so we would have enough produce to fill our table for the entire morning and for the entire market season. We bought a tent, added several rows to the garden, and put up a fence. Over the years we added even more rows complete with automated irrigation to the garden, bought a second table, and spent more and more hours planting, weeding and harvesting.  We hired several part time workers to help cope with the growing workload. Still, gradually and innocently we arrived at our current involvement with what we called “garden/market craziness”. We planted, irrigated and weeded early in the week.  Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday was devoted to picking, washing and selling vegetables! It was a rewarding and challenging experience filled with successes, frustrations and surprises.

While farming can be challenging (wind and hail damage, insects, gophers, rabbits, etc.) and lots of hard work, it was also very rewarding.  We were providing fresh, wholesome, locally grown, and  pesticide free vegetables to our community. We were also providing local part time employment. It was disappointing to have to cut back

Our food supply has become dominated by huge US and foreign farms with long distribution channels.  Pesticides and herbicides are frequently used to enhance  production.  Vegetable and fruit varieties have been developed that look attractive and can withstand the rigors of shipping from farms to distribution centers and then to your local grocery stores.   Flavor and wholesomeness have become a secondary consideration.  Further, a significant amount of energy is consumed refrigerating and transporting this produce to market.

While we no longer sell our produce, we urge you to support your local farmers and Growers Markets.