| The desire to attract local people
and surrounding area residents to downtown Trinidad on Saturdays by offering
fresh fruits and vegetables at bargain prices led to the formation of the
Farmers' Market of Trinidad/Las Animas County, Inc., in the spring of 2001.
After successfully completing its first season, the board of directors is
preparing for the future. The purpose of Farmers' Market TLAC, a nonprofit
corporation chartered under the laws of the state of Colorado, is to provide a
venue for the buying and selling of locally grown and created products, but
primarily garden produce. Its board of directors consists of President Leslie J.
Gerbracht, Vice President Kayleen Dowell, Secretary Carol Potter, Treasurer Lynn
McCreight, and board members Tom Martinez, Jr., Terry Haugen, Mike Garrett,
Meghan Harris Russell, Alice Fitzgerald and Diane Hess.
Back row, from left; Alice Fitzgerald, Terry Haugen, Mike
Garret, Diane Hess, Tom Martinez, Jr. and Meghan Harris Russell
Front row, from left; Lynn McCreight, Kayleen Dowell, Leslie J.
Gergracht, and Carol Potter
During early July through October, depending on this year's growing season,
look for area growers and shoppers in downtown Trinidad's Corazon de Trinidad,
in the parking lot between the Chronicle News and Coal Miners Memorial Park,
from 8am to noon every Saturday. On any given Saturday last summer, there were
three primary producers led by regional growers Chuck Henegin from Swink, Carl
Musso, and Joe Panteleo from Pueblo, and about 10 other booths offering
everything from locally grown honey, herbs, coffee, fruit juice, fresh flowers,
sandwiches and baked goods. The market offers a venue for buyers and sellers but
also creates an informal atmosphere for people to meet and greet. When not
picking through piles of fruits and vegetables, shoppers catch up on the latest
news. Trinidad Mayor Joe Reorda has been a regular visitor along with many city
council members and other city and county employees or business owners. The
market provides a wonderful opportunity for elected officials and candidates to
speak with residents and get feedback on various political and economic issues.
In addition, downtown merchants, open on Saturdays, saw a spillover effect of
shoppers during and after the event.
Last February, a fundraiser was held at the A.R. Mitchell Museum that
attracted more than 200 people. Music was provided by well-known local musicians
Eric Michaels, Kevin Crosby and Mark Huston. After expenses, the board cleared
around $1,300 to advertise and promote this year's Farmers' Market activities. A
promotional brochure is being prepared to distribute at area hotels/motels, the
Colorado Welcome Center, and restaurants, encouraging everyone to attend a good
old-fashioned Saturday market. The success of last year's market would not have
been possible without the support of Trinidad's business merchants who offered
cash donations, and contributed advertising and the banners that were placed
throughout the community every Saturday morning. The Farmers' Market has become
one community's effort to produce lots of good, fresh food for its shoppers and
a healthy dose of widespread economic benefit for its citizens. |
