Yucca Bird Herb Farm

Kristen & Avrum have been with the Market since 1998. Boxcar Farm is a certified organic herb and vegetable farm located at 8,200 feet in the Sangre de Cristo mountains in Taos County. They farm with their 2 children, a herd of goats, and a few fluffy llamas.

Read the New Mexico Farmers Market Association’s bio on Boxcar!

Learn more about Boxcar Farm in this article by Taos News!

A Chat with Kristen in April, 2018

What is a signature item that you sell? Garlic, winter squash, herbs, and herbal products

What’s the best way to store it / how long will it keep? Garlic: keep at a cool temp (40°), best if braided, keeps for 6-8 months; Winter squash: it really depends on the variety, but it can last 2-12 months, keep at a warmer temp than garlic or other root crops (50°) and in a well ventilated space.

How long have you been farming? 20 years

How long have you been a member of the Market? 20 years

Share a favorite memory of the Market. Our first year at Market was the year Avrum and I met. We were just selling garlic at the time. It was magical at this point. I remember thinking “we can grow something and sell it?!? Amazing!” This has always been a big part of our relationship.

How did you get into farming? I’d always been interested in growing, since I was a kid. My mom had a beautiful tomato garden in Roswell. I remember going outside in the heat, picking a tomato and salting it, and eating it right there while it was still warm from the sun.

Do you own or rent the land you grow on? Own

Are you certified organic? No pesticides? We were certified. Due to the cost increase we let that go. Now we are pesticide free, growing in the same way as when we were certified organic.

Besides farming, what takes up your time? What are your hobbies? We raise our kids. I like hiking in the woods. I play marimba. I was a writer for many years – freelance journalism. Avrum enjoys playing poker.