Green Tractor Farm received the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute’s “Farmer All Star” award in 2013.
Mary and Tom Dixon farmed the land Tom grew up on in La Cienega. They retired in 2017, but the farm has stayed in the family with Rachel Dixon and Ned Conwell taking over operations. The farm is named for a 1938 John Deer Tractor, which still works and they recently used to cultivate the garlic.
Green Tractor is certified organic. They use drip irrigation for all but their grape vines (which they flood irrigate in the traditional NM style). The El Guicu Ditch, which has been in operation since 1720, waters their farm. They collect the acequia water in several catchment tanks, which they purchased through an NRSC grant, and then use the water to drip irrigate. They also have bees and cover crop most of their fields in winter. The grapes are for homemade wine.
They have two greenhouses. One is stationary and heated, which they use to start seeds and get a head start on warm season crops like tomatoes. The other greenhouse is an Eliot Coleman design that moves along tracks and allows for three different locations in the field. So in winter they have greens growing and in summer it will move to protect tomato plants.
The biggest challenge of farming, Tom says, is also the thing he loves most about it: The sense of accomplishment you feel taking the needs of a seed and watching it grow and become something that can nourish you and your community. Mary agrees, but also says it’s challenging because it’s hard work and it’s tiring. They both enjoy showing and sharing the farm. It allows them a moment to step back and have some perspective. To share the beauty of what they have created and to really appreciate it without thinking about the list of chores.
The camaraderie of working in the fields with others also brings them joy. Generally they have two part-time and one full time employee in the busy season.