Frances Deters of Pancha Patch Farms. Courtesy photo

Frances Deter of Pancha Patch Farms on the eastern side of Socorro near the Rio Grande River has a booth displaying her meats and poultry products each Thursday at the local farmers market.

Manager Cindy Talamantes of the Los Alamos Farmers Market recently interviewed Deter:

What is your business?

I am the owner of Pancha Patch Farms where I produce quality heritage pastured raised pork and pastured eggs.

When did you get started in your field of work?

 I started by buying a farm and trying different animals to see what I liked and what could work for me.

Pigs in grass at Pancha Patch Farm. Courtesy/PPF

Have you always farmed on the same piece of land?

I have always raised animals on this farm only.

It started as a way for me to raise meat for my family since I don’t care to eat factory farmed meat. Then people would eat what I raised and said you should sell this to others (meaning them) but it grew from there.

Is farming your only source of income?

No , farming is not my only source of income. I also maintain quality homes for people in Socorro and I play in several bands.

What are some of the problems you have come across in raising pigs?

The problem with farming from my perspective is finding help, getting reliable butchering done and dealing with the heat. Animals especially pigs don’t have a good mechanism for dealing with heat so I have to keep a moist area on the farm during the summer at all times and considering we live in the desert, it is a challenge.

Chickens and a rooster at Patch Farm. Courtesy/PPF

Is anyone in your family following in your farming footsteps?

It is too early to tell whether any of my family will follow my footsteps. I started because my husband’s family were farmers and I thought it would be a good way for the two of us to do things together – whoops – turns out he doesn’t like farming animals.

What is the feeling you want your customers to come away with when they shop in your booth?

I would like my customers to be satisfied and feel that their meat supply is safe, superior and delicious. I always say people vote with their money when they live in a capitalistic system and by purchasing meat from me and vegetables from the farmers market, customers are supporting local agriculture, flavorful food, entrepreneurship and hard work. That should be an enjoyable community oriented experience. This is my second year vending at the market and I love it!