New Site Expands Taos County Farmers Market and Local Agricultural Economy

The Taos County Farmers Market—a cornerstone of the local agricultural economy for more than 50 years—has outgrown its current capacity, with vendor demand far exceeding available space. The market is currently capped at 70 full-time vendors despite interest from at least 90. While the market itself functions well within its existing footprint, the site offers limited nearby parking, requiring many visitors to park farther away and cross surrounding streets to access the market. The constrained site also limits opportunities to improve traffic flow, accessibility, and future growth. Recognizing these long-standing needs, the Taos Farmers Market Board developed a plan to acquire and prepare an adjacent three-acre parcel to establish a permanent, expanded home for the market. With support from LOR, the Taos Farmers Market will contract with an engineering firm and an excavation crew to complete site grading, base-course installation, and key site improvements, including parking, traffic circulation, and pedestrian access. The expanded site will increase vendor capacity from 70 to at least 90 participants, creating new opportunities for local producers while improving parking, accessibility, and the overall visitor experience.