Two friends with a shared passion for community-supported agriculture and locally grown produce are the driving force behind Durango’s newest farmers market.
Business partners Kate Sopko and Morgan Di Santo were inspired to open Three Springs Farmers Market after starting their own farm on a plot of land at the Old Fort in Hesperus.
The farm incubator program, run by Fort Lewis College, helps beginning farmers and ranchers who are looking to start their own business by providing education, access to land and water, and infrastructure.
Three Springs Farmers Market was a logical extension of their business, Long Table Farm, Sopko said.
“We have about a quarter acre of land with the incubator program and another quarter-acre of land at Morgan’s uncle’s property on Florida Mesa,” she said. “Long Table Farm was our original business plan, so we are working hard on that and will also be managing the market.”
Sopko said growth projections for Three Springs and its summer concert series gave them the idea to host the market at Three Springs Plaza.
“That space has a lot of potential,” she said. “We saw this as a great opportunity to bring people together in that space.”
Sopko described herself as a “huge supporter” of Durango Farmers Market, which runs every Saturday during the summer months, but said it is sometimes difficult to attend.
“It can be hard to get there in time in the morning, and a lot of people in Durango get away on the weekends,” she said.
In an effort to catch people before their weekend adventures, Three Springs Farmers Market will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. every Thursday starting in mid-June until mid-October.
“We wanted to have something during the week and after work hours so that you can stop by on your way home and get groceries,” Sopko said.
She said they are still in the process of ironing out all of the details surrounding the market, but are currently accepting vendor applications, which will not be limited to people selling produce.
“We are open to anyone who wants to participate,” she said. “The idea is to create another outlet for farmers and small businesses to be successful ... Our goal with our farm and market is to increase access to good, local food and create a connection between the community and farmers.”
To become a vendor at Three Springs Farmers Market, email threespringsmarket@gmail.com for more information.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
