SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 27

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Timothy M. Keller

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE FAIR COMMISSION TO CONSIDER SUPPORTING A PERMANENT YEAR-ROUND FARMERS' MARKET ON A PORTION OF THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS.

     WHEREAS, a farmers' market is a public market at which primarily farmers, producers and other vendors from a local area sell fresh produce, meats and other agricultural products directly to consumers; and

     WHEREAS, a farmers' market promotes environmentally friendly practices and reduces the transportation required to deliver essential goods, thus reducing carbon emissions; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has a long cultural and historical tradition of agricultural enterprise; and

     WHEREAS, a farmers' market needs a large and open public area where farmers, producers and ranchers who have grown, gathered or raised their fresh foods can sell their products to the public; and

     WHEREAS, the state fairgrounds can provide a large open area with easy access in a central location surrounded by other diverse businesses and attractions; and

     WHEREAS, farmers, producers and ranchers from areas around Bernalillo county and throughout the state have access to the state fairgrounds; and

     WHEREAS, the state fairgrounds can provide access to a large open space that is affordable for both farmers and the customers, who are the backbone of the market; and

     WHEREAS, a farmers' market at the state fairgrounds will encourage community and home gardens, educate and train producers and help preserve and continue New Mexico's long cultural and historical tradition of agricultural enterprise; and

     WHEREAS, a farmers' market at the state fairgrounds can stimulate economic growth and revitalize and restore the route 66 tradition of tourism in the surrounding area; and

     WHEREAS, a farmers' market at the state fairgrounds will provide local fresh produce, meats and other agricultural products with great nutritional benefits at a lower cost to consumers; and  

     WHEREAS, the Albuquerque area receives hundreds of thousands of dollars per year from federal public assistance programs to provide nutrition, and these funds can be used by consumers at a farmers' market at the state fairgrounds; and

     WHEREAS, retention of federal money in the local foodshed area of New Mexico has an economic multiplier of two for every dollar retained; and

     WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of all interested parties, including the New Mexico farmers' marketing association, to plan, discuss and create a sustainable plan that takes into consideration the many aspects of managing successful farmers' markets;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state fair commission be requested to facilitate dialogue between all interested parties and assess issues of sustainability for supporting a permanent year-round farmers' market on a portion of the state fairgrounds; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state fair commission, the director of the New Mexico department of agriculture, the board of directors of the New Mexico farmers' marketing association and the secretary of economic development.

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