Maria and Thure have been vending at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market since 2001. They have been farming for over 2 decades. Their farm is family-owned, producing innovative products which serve the SFFM and the community in an atmosphere of a social commons building.
Read all about Ligaialein Products in the Fresh News
A chat with Thure in June, 2018
What is a signature item that you sell? My signature items are egg rolls and spring rolls, but I also sell watermelon juice and air loom tomatoes.
What’s the best way to store it / how long will it keep? The best wait to store it is in the fridge but it is best when you eat it fresh.
How long have you been farming? I have been farming for many years.
How long have you been a member of the Market? I have been at the market for 17 years now.
Share a favorite memory of the Market. When my daughter was little she would come to the markets. There was this booth next to me and they sold all kinds of melons. So when she would come she would always climb into the full wagon and stay there all day.
How did you get into farming? I had no real reason it was kind of random. I moved here and needed work and ways to stay busy so I started farming.
Do you own or rent the land you grow on? Yes I own the land I farm on.
Are you certified organic? No pesticides? Free-range? Hormone free? No I am not certifies organic but we use no pesticides and everything we sell is organic I am just not certified.
How was your growing season last year? How’s it shaping up for this year? Last year was very good because we had good weather but this year it is dry and there is no water and I need a lot of water to grow some of the things that I do.
What crops are coming up next, seasonally? Right now I am waiting for the tomatoes to grow.
Besides farming, what takes up your time? What are your hobbies? I also work as a consulter but most of my time is taken up by my farming. When I am not doing those things I am with my family.
Do you speak any other languages? I speak German and I am from Germany.
Are you celebrating anything special this year (like an anniversary)? No I am not celebrating anything special this year.
How would you describe yourself in one word? I would say that I am foolish.
What is your favorite dish to make? When it is mushroom season I love going to the mountain and picking fresh chanterelles and getting beets and put chile peppers on them with eggs. That is a great breakfast.
Red or Green? I love all types of chile but I like them best when they are fresh.
If you were a super hero what would your powers be and why? If I had powers I would end all war and restore the environment so we could have a better world.
What’s your power vegetable? Meaning – which veg/fruit speaks to you on a personal level and how? I love broccoli.
What is the strangest thing you’ve eaten? I don’t know I could eat anything and usually like everything I eat.