NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MSC 3189, P.O Box 30005 - Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8005 Office of the Director/Secretary Dr. I. Miley Gonzalez, Director/Secretary
MEDIA ADVISORY	Fax: (505)646-8120

LAS CRUCES, NM—Dr. I. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico secretary of agriculture, along with the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association, is inviting the general public to stop by the “New Mexico Farmers Market Fiesta and Chile Festival” on Sunday, September 9, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Albuquerque.

The event will take place in the courtyard of the Agriculture Building on the New Mexico Fair grounds.  Food products will be available for purchase, and representatives of the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association will be available to provide information on local produce and farmers’ markets statewide.  Currently New Mexico consumers are enjoying the peak of the fall season with a variety of crops available such as green chile, tomatoes, melons, watermelons, and sweet corn.  Also in the courtyard will be Mr. Dickie Ogas of the Ogas Farms of Garfield, New Mexico, roasting fresh green chile and making boxes of fresh picked chile for sale to fair goers.

“Farmers’ markets provide easy access to fresh, nutritious foods and assist in boosting the local economy,” says Secretary Gonzalez. “I invite all fair goers to visit the farmers’ market stand at one of New Mexico’s largest events.”

Farmers’ markets in the United States now total over 4,000, up from 1,755 in 1994.  There are 44 farmers’ markets in New Mexico that provide fresh produce to the residents of our state.

For more information contact Denise Miller of the New Mexico Farmers’ Marketing Association at (888) 983-4400.