The holiday season is right around the corner and what better gift to give friends and family than award-winning, locally produced products? For the fifth consecutive year, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture will be partnering with the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum to co-host HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show and Gift Market.
HomeGrown will take place on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces. Admission to HomeGrown is $5 per vehicle, and the first 100 vehicles at the event each day will receive a free burlap shopping bag.
Attendees can expect over 70 vendors, the majority representing a variety of food and beverage companies from around the state and all of which are NEW MEXICO—Taste the Tradition® and Grown with Tradition® members. Each booth will offer either locally produced products, such as award-winning salsas and wine for attendees to sample and purchase, or crafts made from agriculture resources.
The two-day event will feature the NMDA’s Chef Ambassadors John Hartley and Rocky Durham, who will be demonstrating various recipes using products that will be available for sale by vendors. Both chefs are New Mexico natives who have professional experience in creating dishes from locally made food products.
Last year, HomeGrown attracted nearly 3,500 attendees within the two days that the event took place, an increase from the previous year. New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte predicts that the event will continue to grow and gain recognition from locals and surrounding community members.
“We are thrilled to once again be partnering with the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum to host the fifth annual HomeGrown event,” said Witte, “Every year, the event grows in both vendors and shoppers who take part in promoting the rich tradition of New Mexico-made food and beverage products. Because of this, HomeGrown has become a NEW MEXICO—Taste the Tradition® signature event.”
Santa Claus will be on hand to pose for pictures and visit with children, and a new feature this year is a photo booth provided by FARMesilla. The Museum will hold Crafts for Kids activities from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and pony rides ($5) from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture will also host giveaways throughout the two-day event.
“In partnership with NMDA, we have seen this event turn into a major happening here at the museum and in Las Cruces,” said Museum Director Mark Santiago. “It has really expanded. This show is really special for the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in that it provides a unique opportunity to showcase products grown here in New Mexico and it has a become a favorite for those looking to do some early Christmas or holiday shopping.”
Attendees are also invited to tour the museum and enjoy the exhibits at no extra cost. The Museum is located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces and is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. The 47-acre facility tells the story of 4,000 years of growing food in New Mexico through a variety of exhibits and demonstrations.
