Explore agriculture in New Mexico
When you think of New Mexico, it's likely that your first image is vast deserts of cactus and sagebrush. While we do have plenty of scenic desert for you to explore, you may not realize how important agriculture is to the Land of Enchantment. When you visit New Mexico, consider exploring the state's agriculture.
As you may expect, cattle production for dairy and beef are tops in this mostly rural Western state. Hay production is also a top agricultural product, supporting the beef industry. Pecans, greenhouse and nursery plants are other agricultural products produced in New Mexico. The state is also a leading producer of crops such as onions and our famous chile. Cotton, cabbage, and a variety of other crops are produced here as well. And, you may be surprised to learn that wine grapes are grown here and wine tasting is a popular activity for visitors and residents alike.
Wine
When you think of wine tasting, you probably think of locations like 
California's Napa Valley. However, wine grapes were planted in New Mexico over 140 years before they were in the Golden State! Spanish friars planted grapes in order to produce wine for religious purposes and today grapes are still grown for wine around the state. Along Highway 28 from Mesilla south towards the Texas border, there are no fewer than five wine tasting stops you can make, with three in Mesilla and others along the highway. Learn more about these wineries and tasting rooms in our video on wine tasting along Highway 28.
The state is home to over 40 wineries, producing a wide variety of wine styles and varieties. The New Mexico Wine Growers Assn. is developing wine tasting maps to help guide you as you explore our state's enchanting wines and has lists of wineries up and down the state. Almost anywhere you are in New Mexico, you can find a winery where you can sip a few vintages and find just the right wine to go with a picnic - or on the trip home to enjoy later.
If you time your trip right, you can take part in one of many wine festivals.
| Dates | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| April | La Union | La Viña Blues and Jazz Festival |
| Memorial Day Weekend | Albuquerque | Albuquerque Wine Festival |
| Memorial Day Weekend | Las Cruces | Southern New Mexico Wine Festival |
| June | Red River | Fine Art and Wine Festival |
| July | Santa Fe | Taste of Santa Fe |
| Labor Day Weekend | Bernalillo | New Mexico Wine Festival |
| Labor Day Weekend | Las Cruces | Harvest Wine Festival |
| October | La Union | La Viña Wine Festival |
Pecans
New Mexico is one of the top pecan producing states in the country and Southern New Mexico's Mesilla Valley produces 70% of the pecans grown here. Back in the 1930s, the Mesilla Valley's Stahmann family created the first commercial-scale orchard in New Mexico. Their orchards create a green landscape surrounded by desert that often surprises visitors. Highway 28 near Stahmann's Store is spanned with pecan trees that arch over the road. Stahmanns is not only the largest pecan producers in the United States, but including their orchards in Australia, they are the largest producers in the world.
To learn more about Stahmann's, go to their website at www.stahmanns.com.
Chile
New Mexico is almost synonymous with chile. The official state question 
is "Red or green?" referring to the choice of red or green chile. In fall, you can find the aroma of roasting chile everywhere from farmers markets to local grocery stores. Chile is used on dishes like chile relleno, a dish where a long green chile is stuffed with cheese, battered and fried, and green chile cheeseburgers, which are so popular and diverse that the New Mexico Department of Tourism recently created a list of the best. Hatch, a farming community in southern New Mexico, is famous for their annual Hatch Chile Festival held in early September. Luna County, farther to the southwest, is the state's largest producer of chile. New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute works with producers and consumers to provide information about chile and recently began marketing a hot sauce called Holy Jolokia, which is produced from the world's hottest chile, the Bhut Jolokia.
Cattle - Have you always wanted to be a cowboy or cowgirl?
When Spaniard Juan de Oñate first came into the land that is now New Mexico, he brought with him the first cattle seen in what became the United States. Within decades, cattle roamed freely across our wide plains and deserts. Cattle are raised in New Mexico for both dairy and beef production, which are both important parts of the agricultural economy. So, it's not unusual to run across cowboys and pickup trucks anywhere in the state! If you'd like to find out what it's like to live the cowboy life, there are some ranches that give tourists the opportunity to participate in a cattle drive or spend time helping to work the ranch. The Double E Ranch located near the beautiful Gila Wilderness is one such ranch that offers everything from cattle drives and cowgirl camps to trail rides to explore nature and the Gila Wilderness. In Roswell, contact Burntwell Guest Ranch, which runs cattle and sheep, along with offering visitors a chance to experience ranch life. The Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch is located on one of the state's scenic byways in southwestern New Mexico. In Santa Fe, you could experience a ride with breathtaking views during your stay at the Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa, and follow it up with a massage, no cattle required.
Exotic Livestock: Up close and personal with alpacas
In some areas of New Mexico, the climate is conducive to raising fleece-bearing animals such as llamas and alpacas. Victory Ranch in Mora offers tours during which visitors can hand-feed alpacas and shop at the store that offers a variety of hand-knit sweaters, hats, and other items created with fleece from alpacas. Those who want to create their own wearables can purchases skeins of handspun yarn at the store as well. If your travels aren't taking you near Mora, you can also order through their website.
Food Festivals
Depending on where you are in New Mexico, you'll discover pockets of locally grown produce or food items that inspires a celebration. Here are some food festivals that could make your travels even tastier.
| Date | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| March | Albuquerque | National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show |
| May, Labor Day Weekend | Wagon Mound | Bean Day |
| June | High Rolls | High Rolls Cherry Festival, Lions Park |
| July | Española | Garlic Festival, Northern NM College |
| September | Hatch | Hatch Chile Festival |
| September | Corrales | Corrales Harvest Festival |
| September | Pie Town | Pie Town Festival |
| September | Las Cruces | Whole Enchilada Fiesta |
| August | Red River | |
| October | Taos | Wool Festival |
Farmers Markets and Pick-Your-Own
Visit one of our state's many farmers market to buy locally-grown produce directly from the farmers. You won't find food that's fresher or tastier, unless you grow it yourself! Of course, another option is to go to a pick-your-own farm, where the farmer does all the rest of the work, and you just have to harvest it and enjoy the bounty. One such farm is Salman Raspberry Ranch, where you can pick from their seven acres or skip the work and shop in their store. There you have to make some difficult choices, such as whether to buy the Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce or the Rohs of Scottsdale Raspberry Fudge Sauce. Each fall, the Mesilla Valley Maze in Las Cruces offers a pick-your-own farm, along with a giant corn maze and lots of fun kid's activities. If you're looking for apples, visit Manzano Mountain Retreat in fall.
Flowers - From Iris to Lavender
If you're a lover of fragrant flowers, you're in the right state! Travel to the little town of Hondo on Highway 70 between Ruidoso and Roswell and at the right time of year, the Hondo Iris Farm is resplendent with Iris of every color imaginable. Take a picnic lunch, shop in their beautiful clothing and art store, and buy yourself some Iris bulbs to take home. If you prefer lavender, New Mexico has farms filled with their fragrance and rich color. Depending on where you are visiting, try Los Poblanos in Rancho de Albuquerque or Purple Adobe Lavender Farm near Abiquiu.
