Enjoy everything tomato at the 2008 Albuquerque Tomato Fiesta!

MRCOG Agriculture Collaborative Sponsored Events

• Monthly Agriculture Collaborative Meeting:  The meeting topic this month is Local Food and Agriculture Summer Camp.  Think about kids out in the field, learning about where their food comes from, playing in the dirt, planting beans, and harvesting tomatoes.  Do you want to help make this a reality?  Join us at this special two-hour meeting and give us your input and ideas.  This meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 13th from 9 am to 11 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW.  For more information, contact Ann Simon at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .   This meeting is co-sponsored by the Alliance for a Carbon Neutral Food Shed.

Non-MRCOG Agriculture Collaborative Sponsored Events

For more information on the following events, please use the contact listed for each event.

• Fundraiser/Cultural Exchange for Guatemalan Farmers: As part of a cultural exchange, six farmers from Qachuu Aloom (Mother Earth) Association will be talking about their work in Rabinal, Guatemala. Date/Time: Saturday, August 9th at 5:00pm. Location: Chispas Farm (map) Details: Participate in a traditional tortilla making demonstration, see a slide presentation of projects, hear storytelling/experiences of reviving traditional agricultural practices, enjoy a traditional tamale meal. This event is sponsored by The Garden's Edge. Contact/RSVP: Sarah Montgomery at (505) 948-8398 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

• "U-pick" at Heidi's Raspberry Farm: Raspberries are now in season and ready to be picked by the pint at Heidi's Raspberry Farm in Corrales, NM. Date/time: Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 am to 3 pm (ongoing weekly until supplies last/first frost).  More information/directions

• Downtown Growers Market Roast: Fresh roasted corn, potatoes, garlic, chicken, and green chile at the Downtown Growers Market.  Date/time: Saturday August 16th, 8 am to 11 am. Location: Robinson Park at 8th and Central.  More information/directions

• Special events at the Los Ranchos Growers' & Arts/Crafts Market:  August 9th is the 8th annual Cooking in the Village Celebration with guest chefs Jennifer James and Nelle Bauer.  August 23rd is Seasonal Highlights with guest chefs Darlene and Jason with Indulgence Catering.   The market is held on Saturdays from 7am to 11 am at 6718 Rio Grande Blvd NW.  More information/directions

• Hubbell House Free Lecture Series: This month's free lecture is on Farm to School Programs with Le Adams, director of the NM Farm to School Program, and Marion Kalb, co-director of the National Farm to School Network.  Date/time/location: Saturday August 16th, from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Historic Gutierrez-Hubbell House and Demonstration Farm (a Bernalillo County Open Space Property).  More information/directions

• 2008 Albuquerque Tomato Fiesta: Learn about, eat, and celebrate tomatoes!  Cooking demonstrations, growing tips/advice from experts, kids activities, and live music.  Date/time/location: Sunday August 24th, 11 am to 4 pm at the ABQ Garden Center (10120 Lomas Blvd NE @ Eubank). Organized by Albuquerque Area Extension Master Gardeners.  More information 

• New Mexico Wine Festival at Bernalillo: Take the Rail Runner to Bernalillo and enjoy some of the best wines New Mexico has to offer, plus food and fun for the whole family!  Date/time: Labor Day Weekend, August 30th-31st and September 1st, 12 pm to 7 pm daily. More information/directions

And don't forget to visit the variety of Albuquerque area farmers markets each week!

If you would like to have a local food/agriculture event listed for the month of September, please contact KT LaBadie at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .