Van Riper Farm is a small vegetable and fruit farm located in Corrales, New Mexico, with 1/2 acre devoted to vegetables and 1/2 acre devoted to fruit (raspberries, blackberries, apples, apricots, pears, plums and peaches) and gourds.

The farm started out as a  400 square foot plot where we grew vegetables for ourselves.  The plot was gradually expanded when we began to sell some of our  excess produce at our local Growers Market in Corrales.   We are now farming over an acre with more than a mile of drip irrigation and bring more than 250 lbs of fresh produce to The Corrales Growers Market each week.

While farming can be frustrating (wind and hail damage, insects, gophers, etc.) and lots of hard work, it is also very rewarding.  We are providing fresh, wholesome, locally grown, and  pesticide free vegetables to our community. We are also providing local part time employment opportunities.

Our food supply has become dominated by huge US and foreign farms with long distribution channels.  Pesticides and herbicides are frequently used to enhance  production.  Vegetable and fruit varieties have been developed that look attractive and can withstand the rigors of shipping from farms to distribution centers and then to your local grocery stores.   Flavor and wholesomeness have become a secondary consideration.  Further, a significant amount of energy is consumed refrigerating and transporting this produce to market.  We and other local farmers are providing our community with a choice.

 We often have young customers point to one of our vegetables and ask “What is this and how do you fix it?”.   It is especially rewarding to be able to introduce them to  fresh vegetables and help them become less dependent on prepared foods and fast food restaurants.