A Chat with Scott in 2018
Farm Name: La Otre Banda (This is a euphemism directly translating to “The other Band” as in, the other band playing over there. It has come to mean the other side, or over there. In Northern New Mexico this a local reference to the other side of the Embudo valley.)
Farm Location: Embudo Valley
What is a signature item that you sell? Chicory, Radicchio, escarole, frisee. My motto is the more bitter the better.
What’s the best way to store it / how long will it keep? In a sealed plastic bag in the crisper, it will keep 2 weeks in the very least.
How long have you been farming? I’ve been produce farming for 6 years. Previously, I was doing viticulture over in California.
How long have you been a member of the Market? 2 years. I’ve been coming with Stan Crawford before that for a long time.
Share a favorite memory of the Market. The comradely among the vendors. I really appreciate the people, some I don’t even know; us doing the same thing.
How did you get into farming?bIt’s simply because I. love. Food. I used to work on the restaurant side of things, and we worked with really great farms. I got out of that, literally by walking into it on a friends vineyard. I got trained up, managing about 20 acres of vines doing pruning, canopy management, and of course the harvest. We made some wine on site too. When I moved to Dixon, no one would hire me for viticulture, so I started growing produce. I have a love of being outside.
Do you own or rent the land you grow on? Rent
Are you certified organic? No pesticides? Free-range? Hormone free? I’m not certified organic, but use OMRI approved pesticides only when necessary. (Organic Materials Review Institute, commonly referred to as OMRI, is “an international non-profit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing. OMRI Listed® products are allowed for use in certified organic operations under the USDA National Organic Program”)
How was your growing season last year? How’s it shaping up for this year? Last year was lovely. This year has been challenging with the water crisis. I rely on 2 acequias for 5 different plots.
What crops are coming up next, seasonally? Green beans, squash, cukes, and hopefully more bitter greens.
Besides farming, what takes up your time? What are your hobbies? Hiking! And exploring!
Do you speak any other languages? No
Are you celebrating anything special this year (like an anniversary)? Every day. I’m grateful to be alive.
How would you describe yourself in one word? Honest. And quiet.
What is your favorite dish to make? Duck confit and grilled radicchio with apples a tart cherry gastrique and foie gras. Or, bananas.
Red or Green? Christmas!
If you were a super hero what would your powers be and why? I would like to breathe underwater.
What’s your power vegetable? Meaning – which veg/fruit speaks to you on a personal level and how? Kohlrabi… or maybe I have to say kale. It’s so easy to eat, it practically falls into your mouth. You can run on it for days from one big bowl.
What is the strangest thing you’ve eaten? I like ants, crickets, alligator, snake. I like heart, lungs, blood, cartilage, rhizomes, fungus and tubers. I’ve probably eaten a week old burrito from underneath the car seat.
What have you done that you are most proud of? Moving back home to New Mexico.