Jacona Farm received the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute’s “Farmer All Star” award in 2014.
Phil Loomis grew up in Albuquerque, NM. From there, a love of food and cooking took him to New Orleans, where he studied under prominent chefs like Emeril Lagasse. After 20 years in the restaurant industry, Phil took his love of food and desire for better working hours to the next level. In 1992 he bought 2.5 acres in Jacona, NM (down the road from Gary Gundersen), build a house and started farming. His first year at the Market he sold tomatoes and basil. Over the years, he’s expanded his operation to include an adjacent 2 acres (plus some of his neighbors vacant farmland) as well as 5 acres in Nambe. His land holds a lot of history, originally part of the Pueblo lands until the Spaniards came. It’s not uncommon to find Anasazi pot shards on his land. One of the acequias he waters from – the Acequia Larga de Jacona – dates to before 1848. His acequias in Nambe are the Acequia Cano and Acequia de los Ortiz. He uses a man-made pond as a holding tank from the acequia water, to then drip irrigate his fields.
With the help of one year-round and four seasonal employees, and his two dogs, Twyla and Rosco, Phil grows nearly everything available at the market, from bok choy to shishitos. But his primary crops are tomatoes, potatoes, and chile, and for 3 years he’s had raspberries. He plants his fields in winter wheat to use as green manure and makes all of his own compost with materials from the farm and manure from his neighbor’s horses. He free-ranges his chickens in the winter. He has two hoop-houses and has used the microloan program to purchase a drip irrigation system.
Phil’s favorite part of farming is growing food and playing in the dirt. His least favorite is managing the finances of the farm and selling at the market. Oh–and the left over produce that doesn’t sell.
A Chat with Phil in June, 2018
What is a signature item that you sell? Tomatoes, green chili, eggs
What’s the best way to store it? Tomatoes are best fresh and unrefrigerated. Green Chili can be frozen after roasting. TIP: It is best to not wash eggs (egg shell will feel rough). They keep better.
How long have you been farming? 26 years
How long have you been a member of the Market? 26 years
Share a favorite memory of the Market: I enjoy seeing the same people visit the market over the years, and watching the Market grow from a parking lot to what it is now. And I’ve enjoyed being the Farmers’ Market’s board President and being a part of building the new Pavilion with the Institute.
How did you get into farming? My mother grew up on a farm. My parents were avid gardeners. I had a 9-5 office job but wanted out… so I went to farming instead.
Do you own or rent the land you grow on? I owns and lease
Are you certified organic? We’re not certified organic. I don’t use pesticides. And, our chickens are free-range and we only use organic feed.
How was your growing season last year? Last year was good. This year with the drought – it remains to be seen.
What crops are coming up next, seasonally? I haven’t planted as much this year because of the drought conditions. This time of year I usually plant carrots, tomatoes, beets, garlic, and the mild shishito pepper.
Besides farming, what takes up your time? I love to mountain bike. Unfortunately, my favorite places to ride are being closed because of the drought conditions.
Do you speak any other languages? Spanish
Are you celebrating anything special this year? 10th year of Farmers’ Market in the Railyard!
How would you describe yourself in one word? Steady
What is your favorite dish to make? Anything with Green Chili
Red or Green? Fresh roasted Green
If you were a super hero what would your powers be and why? To be able to intuitively know things
Which veg/fruit speaks to you on a personal level and how? Tomatoes – they’re so luscious in comparison to store bought. The New Mexico high desert climate with warm days and cool nights develops the tomatoes and other veggies for much better flavor.
What is the strangest thing you’ve eaten? Fried Worms
What have you done that you are most proud of? Working as a vendor and official for the Farmers’ Market
Day in the life of a farmer: Get up early, open greenhouse, water plants, or start irrigation, planting or weeding and/or fertilize. All of this varies from season to season.