Farmers Market Manager passes the baton!
This Spring Barb posted that she was looking for anyone interested in taking over the position(s) of managing the Dixon Farmers Market. Several of us stepped up and got together to start discussing how we might work together to keep the tradition going. And here we are, about to open the 2025 market! The other day, I sat down with Barb to see if she would share a few historic details of her time as manager. She was happy to!
Barbara Jo Pollock moved from Woodland, CA to Dixon 20 years ago with an Agronomy degree and a keen desire to be a farmer. She and her husband, Daniel Frederick Pollock, whose parents had owned and operated an ornamental plant nursery in San Diego were both looking to relocate in their retirement and made their way to Northern New Mexico where they soon were told that to be able to grow they would need to be at an altitude lower than 6000 feet.
In other words, a spot like Angel Fire would be too high. But they came across a piece of property listed in the Taos News Real Estate section that looked like it might hit the sweet spot. They made the trip to Dixon to see the property, hopped over a closed gate unannounced, undeterred by some local hounds and together realized this was it. SOLD!
It wasn’t long before they began planting: there was an established orchard and plenty of room for vegetables and flowers. Dixon resident, Patti Nielson, became the manager of the first farmers market here which was set up as an extension of the Cooperative food market - in fact was set up right out front of the store. The position was passed along from Patti, to Jeanne Treadway and finally the Coop committee and headed up by Barb and Dan, who were by then vending regularly, as co-managers through to the present. As many of us who arrive here unannounced and devote ourselves to our own corner of Paradise, they wanted to be extra sensitive to the sensibilities of the long-time residents. Their highest goal was to ensure that the market reflected the demographics of the area. They went out of their way to invite the established Hispanic farmers to participate and within 2 years the market consisted of 50% historically Hispanic families from here. A traditional Ranchero band from Espanola was a favorite regular musical feature. The Pollocks were eager to learn about local farming practices and soon were befriended by Estevan Arellano who was instrumental in keeping the acequia tradition alive and well throughout the area. They were also fortunate to apprentice with Harvey Frauenglass and his artist wife Gayle, who made fresh apple cider from their orchard apples until they were forced to sell their orchard and their business, Big Willow Cider.
In 2019, expansion of the Coop building was nudging the market too far into town traffic. A new safer location was negotiated with Vivac Winery which at the onset of COVID was delighted because having the farmers market on their property deemed them an essential business. Both entities were able to operate and benefit from each other’s traffic, albeit masked and socially distanced! Then sadly, in 2010, Dan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and began a slow decline until passing away several years later. Over time, key vendors moved on and the market began to lose customers as well. Now that Barb is ready to pass along the duties of market manager, it is her dream that there will be a presence of all ages participating, to respect its origins, cooperate with other markets throughout the region, and enjoy a burst of refreshed energy.. She will continue to be a big part of the market as a vendor of her own farm products and as mentor to the generations that are coming up in her place. We appreciate her wisdom and welcoming the new team with all her enthusiasm!
THANK YOU BARB!
