By Olivia Gilbert
Imagine a place where you can buy fresh, locally grown, fruits and vegetables. A place where you can support small scale farmers, meat producers, or even a backyard grower…
Look no further than the Pagosa Springs Farmers Market. Every Saturday from 9am-1pm till September 30, the Farmer’s Market will be up and running, filled with a variety of produce, sweet treats, and beautiful, hand-crafted house goods items and jewelry. The items you will find at the Farmer’s Market will be from local vendors who put health and community first. Local sellers aim to please. This is reflected by the quality of the goods sold at the market.
C4 Farms
A special shout-out goes to our newly added vendor, C4 Farms. C4 Farms was started in 2013 and is based in beautiful Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. Thomas Casados, owner of C4 Farms, grew up on his family’s cow-calf operation and was pretty much made to be in this business. Together with his family he raises grass-finished beef in pasture as well as at a fully USDA inspected slaughter, raw processing, and ready to eat production facility.
Their cattle are grass-fed — they never see a feedlot, or receive any grain during their lifespan. Thomas says that grass is easier on the digestive system of the cattle as grain alters the pH of a cow’s gut biome. Grass-fed beef allows sequestering of CO2 in the grass and soil. The manure is returned to the soil.
C4 Farms have three WHYS for being in business: To produce meat in a way that is the most healthy for humans to consume; To raise cattle in a way that’s healthiest for the animal and environment, and to sell and distribute meat that energizes our local economy. Thomas is looking forward to establishing his business in Pagosa Springs because the Farmer’s Meat Market is opening up and it’s natural to expand his business to our area. The market demand for conscientiously produced meat products like his is growing and he’s more than excited for it.
Don’t hesitate to stop by the Farmer’s Market to meet Thomas and his family and support their efforts to change the reputation of the beef industry and the quality of beef.
SNAP Benefits
Equally important, we are still offering a special deal for SNAP card users until the end of market. Spend $20 with your SNAP card and we will offer you and your family an extra FREE $20 in double-up bucks to spend on fresh veggies, eggs, or baked goods. Look for the SOS booth and stop by to snag this incredible deal.
A special thank you to SOS, the Town of Pagosa Springs and the Pagosa Tourism Board.
For more information, visit our website, or call 970-264-5232, or email pagosafarmersmarket@gmail.com
Olivia Gilbert is the Pagosa Farmer’s Market coordinator.