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Skarsgard Farms cultivates 40 acres along
the beautiful Rio Grande River Valley. In addition to the wide variety
of
crops that we grow on our farms, we also work within a network of other
sustainable farmers/ranchers from our region to help distribute their
products. This ensures our customers will receive the widest selection
of fruits and vegetables while gaining access to local meats, eggs, dairy,
and other tasty staples year round.
We are currently distributing our products via home/office delivery, as well as pick-up options, in Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Placitas, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and El Paso.
All of the products you will find here are grown without chemicals, antibiotics, or hormones. The way that Nature intended food to taste.
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Check out our Newsletter and This Week’s Harvest Boxes to see what's happening on the farm.
The Birth of a New Farm......
This last fall I took some time to do a pretty honest assessment
of the state of our farm. Reflect back at where we have been over the
years. And then refine a vision for the future.
The first thing I concluded is that we have been truly fortunate over the years
both in the fields and in the marketplace. We have expanded our fields from
3 acres in 2003 to 35 acres this year, and our membership from 17 (many of
whom are still with us!) to 3,800. Thanks to our members, sales volumes have
grown at an annualized rate of 74% over the last 9 years. So there is no doubt
in my mind that along with some good fortune, we are also getting a few things
right.
As a part of this introspection, I thought deeply about how we could add more
value to our members. Make your experience better. That led to some newness
to kick off 2012. Namely, different box sizes and flexibility to choose the
items you want. Something our members had asked for many times.
I also spent a huge amount of time thinking about something pretty important – our
name. Los Poblanos Organics.
I thought about how this venture started 9 years ago on the historic Los Poblanos
Ranch, thanks to the generosity of the Rembe family who agreed to let me farm
their land. The fact is the scale of our farm has expanded greatly since then
and we now grow most everything on our South Valley farms. I grew up playing
in the fields of the North Valley, so I loved being able to name the farm after
my childhood stomping grounds. But now, our scope is no longer just one area
in the North Valley. Our dreams and goals are larger than that.
So then you get to the obvious question: should we continue to call our little
enterprise Los Poblanos Organics? After pondering that question a good bit
and having discussions with the Rembe family and other trusted friends, I decided
that a new name might better reflect our future aspirations.
We chose a name that we hope exemplifies pride in local American farming, and
recognizes my family’s century-long dedication to the land. I am honored
to introduce our members to Skarsgard Farms. (new logo above)
In a nutshell, nothing will change for our members except the name. Our farm
land has not changed. Nor have our services. We hope this will be a positive
step that will highlight our farm as a unique undertaking. A farm not limited
to one part of one town in this state.
The new name also speaks to my personal commitment to the local food and small
farm movements here in New Mexico. Make no mistake about it folks; this farm
is here to stay. And I could not be happier about it!
Ok, now on to arm you with the tools to dispel the impending rumor mill.
#1. LPO and the Los Poblanos Ranch did not get a “divorce.” The
relationship that we have and maintain with the Rembe family has never been
stronger. They have been huge supporters of the farm (and me personally) over
the last 9 years, and they will continue to be an integral part of our future.
We look forward to continued collaboration with the Ranch and are forever appreciative
of their help over the many seasons.
#2. We did not sell out to Wal-Mart...I know this sounds crazy, but people
sometimes come up with some great conspiracy theories. And I can assure you
this; I did not change the name of the farm to my last name just so I could
turn around and sell it off to a box store. Or anyone else, for that matter.
#3. “They dropped ‘Organics’ from their name. They must be
a conventional farm now.” This could not be further from the truth. Our
commitment to Organic and sustainable agriculture has never been deeper. I
want to gain your trust in our stewardship of the land and not by a word we
put in our name.
All in all, you will continue to be a part of an amazing local farm. You are
going to see our Skarsgard Farms locally grown food choices continue to increase
while maintaining access to a diverse offering from other local and regional
producers.
As we weave this web of conscientious consumers coming together with sustainable
producers, we will have a food system that we can all take pride in as well
as enjoy on our taste buds. That is worth working for.
I want to take this opportunity to again sincerely thank our loyal members
for your support and our dedicated employees for making Skarsgard Farms possible.
Please do not hesitate to call or email with any questions that you may have.
Cheers to a new beginning, Farmer Monte Skarsgard
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