A JOINT MEMORIAL
DECLARING FEBRUARY 28, 2005 AS "SANTA FE FARMERS' MARKET DAY" AND "SANTA FE COUNTY DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, since its humble beginning over thirty years ago in the parking lot of Santa Fe's St. Anne's church, the Santa Fe farmers' market has grown almost six hundred percent; and
WHEREAS, consumers at the Santa Fe farmers' market now spend about one million seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($1,750,000) a year buying directly from vendors; and
WHEREAS, at the peak of the 2003 summer season, it was estimated that eight thousand customers visited the market during busy Saturday mornings; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Fe farmers' market institute and the Santa Fe farmers' market work to build the economic future for New Mexico's farmers and ranchers; and
WHEREAS, the Santa Fe farmers' market institute and Santa Fe farmers' market work to keep the state's land-based culture and traditions alive; and
WHEREAS, Santa Fe county is a historic and cultural gem that has received national attention as a seat of government, the home of four pueblos and the arts center for the state; and
WHEREAS, Santa Fe county was originally created by the republic of Mexico in 1844 and redesignated in 1852 by the territorial legislature; and
WHEREAS, Santa Fe county is home to the original seat of government in New Mexico and is the oldest government seat in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Santa Fe county is a nationally known art and music destination that is home to the museum of New Mexico, which is the state's oldest cultural institution, founded in 1909; the palace of the governors, which houses the state history museum and is the oldest continually occupied public building in the United States; and the Santa Fe opera, which is known internationally for musical innovation and quality;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 28, 2005 be declared "Santa Fe Farmers' Market Day" and "Santa Fe County Day" at the legislature.