InfoAnda - NM farmers work to preserve native chile varieties

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

UFO hacker won't be tried in Britain for U.S. crimes | | 15 December 2012
Toyota is latest car maker hit by strike in China | 18 June 2010
Clashes across Syria despite U.N. ceasefire call | | 22 March 2012

Singapore COSCO says client cancels order for 2 vessels | 3 December 2008

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : NM farmers work to preserve native chile varieties

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: NM farmers work to preserve native chile varieties By MELANIE DABOVICH,Associated Press Writer AP - Tuesday, May 12 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Gene Lopez has just finished planting his chile field in the same way he's planted his heat-packed crop for three decades. But as the years pass, there seems to be more immediacy behind each seed he places in the ground. ADVERTISEMENT The 70-year-old retired employee of Los Alamos National Laboratory is not a typical chile farmer. He works his small field in the tiny village of Lyden not for profit but to preserve a cultural and gastronomical treasure passed down for generations: native northern New Mexico chile. Farmers, researchers and advocates worry that native chile lines could vanish forever, taking with them invaluable plant genetics and the cultural heritage of an entire region. As farmland becomes covered with homes and younger generations abandon farming, Lopez is unsure who will preserve the tradition of growing the native chile crops that have sprouted in the area for more than three centuries. "No one in my family wants to keep up the farming. I don't know who's going to keep the tradition up," he said. "The number of farmers around here is decreasing and people are coming in with trailers. The farmland is going away." Charles Martin, assistant professor at New Mexico State University's Sustainable Agriculture Science Center, holds workshops for growers to help traditional chile farmers preserve their crops and compete with the larger elements of the industry. "These traditional lines and crop biodiversity is rapidly being lost," Martin said. "The farmers themselves are not even aware of the value of maintaining their traditional lines. They believe their crops are inferior because they're small and they don't have the yield of modern varieties." Preserving native chile is important to maintain genetic biodiversity, he said. Native chile lines are more disease-resistant and have been adapted to grow without fertilizers, he said. "Native chile lines are often the parent material from which modern plant breeders rely upon to create new varieties. It is in everyone's interest to maintain these crop lines," Martin said. "Chile production has been a part of the traditional and sustainable level of agriculture in this area for generations." Often when people think of New Mexico's signature crop, their images are of the sunny southern part of the state where acres of chile pods ripen in the hot sun on large, commercial farms. In northern New Mexico, small farmers grow native chile varieties that have been passed down within families for hundreds of years and selected according to individual family tastes. The lines are unique to where they're grown and are named after those areas _ including about a dozen varieties such as Chimayo, Velarde, Dixon, said Paul Bosland, professor of horticulture and director of the Chile Pepper Institute at NMSU in Las Cruces. Native chile has grown in popularity in the artisanal chile and specialty foods market and is sought out by gourmet restaurants. Aficionados claim it has a richer flavor than modern commercial varieties. Because native chile acreage is quite small _ less than 2 acres per farm _ farmers get premium prices. JoAnn Casados, owner of JoAnn's Restaurant in Espanola, serves both native and commercial chile. She says she's willing to pay more for native chile because "the taste is so much different" in dishes such as enchiladas and tamales. "It's the flavor. You ask the old timers here in the valley, and they know if it's not native chile. There's a bigger demand for it but people aren't growing it," she said. Lois Stanford, an associate anthropology professor at NMSU, said the disappearing native chile lines means the area's historical farming community loses a sense of culture and identity. "There are a lot of practices that go with the conservation of those varieties, such as stories and legends and history and memories. There's seeds that have been passed down and seeds that have been extracted," she said. "It's the cultural heritage of food, and all that is lost if you're buying your seeds from the Wal-Mart seed section." In an effort to keep native chile viable, the Native Hispanic Institute's Chimayo Chile Project is working to increase awareness and urge more northern New Mexico farmers to grow it. About 50 farmers in the project work with each other to promote their product and to assure their precious seeds will be preserved for future generations, said Marie Pilar Campos, president of NHI in Santa Fe. Campos said the project is looking for funding to create an apprenticeship program for youth to work side-by-side with older farmers. "These senior citizens are passing away, and they take all that cultural knowledge," she said. Lopez hopes this year's crop will be a good one to sell at nearby farmer's markets. "I've been growing this chile all my life. We like it and we want to keep it in the family. I don't ever want to lose that seed," Lopez said. "Once I go to the next world, I don't know who will plant it, but the seed will still be here." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World Appeals court hears Indian trust caseAP - Tuesday, May 12 Power tool may have sparked Santa Barbara wildfireAP - Monday, May 11 Police: High-ranking Iraqi traffic official killedAP - Monday, May 11 Obama has meeting today to discuss health careAP - Tuesday, May 12 Obama to unveil healthcare savings planAFP - Monday, May 11 Most Popular – World Viewed Obese young men have less hope of marriage: study Australian zoo evacuated after orangutan escape British store admits it boobed in bra row $70-80 good price for oil: French economy minister Geithner's warning on speed of economic recovery View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Monday, 11 May 2009
U.S. rebuffs Afghan leader's call to halt air strikes | International |
Movie Theaters Begin Re-Opening In Mexico With Regulations In Place
International trade helps solve food crisis: WTO | International |
EU to find Intel anti-competitive: sources | Technology |
Star Trek beams up $72.5 million in first weekend | Entertainment |
UN to debate how to revive flagging Mideast peace
US sticks with air strikes despite Afghan anger
Pakistanis flee offensive as U.S. sees fresh resolve | International |
Israel hopes for tourism, image boost from pope
Venezuela to nationalize Santander subsidiary
China searches for 150 people after first flu case | International |
Seven killed in twin Afghan suicide attacks: officials
Russia beat Canada to retain ice hockey world title
Group says Israel plan to cement hold on Jerusalem
Centrica agrees deal to buy British Energy stake: reports
US won't stop air strikes despite Afghan anger
Japan school seeks solutions to leadership gulf | International |
US-TECH Summary
Scooters, motorcycle makers get stimulus shot
77 homes destroyed in Santa Barbara fire
Pilot made passes over party before NV plane crash
Soldier Faces Court Martial For Abusing Dogs
Fla. Gov. Crist to announce 2010 political plans
Gingrich Slams Notre Dame's Obama Invite Because Of President's Abortion Stance
Reward Up To $11,000 For Missing New York Teen
National Guard troops to aid flood victims in WVa
Merkel in veiled attack on British Conservatives
Jones: U.S. Airstrikes May Not End In Afghanistan Despite Civilian Casualties
Boat Explosion Critically Wounds Seven People In Florida
Basketballs launching on space shuttle mission
Cheney Takes Swipe At Powell For Recent Remarks
Catholic political divide over Obama at Notre Dame
Petraeus: Al Qaeda No Longer In Afghanistan
No mechanical problems seen in Mass. trolley crash
Update: 7-Year-Old Boy Dies From Gunshot Wounds Received While Off-Roading
Swine Flu Takes Two More Lives; U.S. Reports Third Death
AP source: $2 trillion offered in health savings
5 Dead After Plane Crashes In Nevada
Schumer calls for probe into phone spam
Australia detains 30 suspected asylum seekers
Report: No outright majority in Maldives election
Star Trek beams up $72.5 million in first weekend | Entertainment |
Concerns white phosphorus used in Afghan battle
Jamie Oliver putting U.S. city on a diet | Entertainment |
Thai protesters in biggest rally since crackdown
Dalai Lama sees long-term hope for Tibet
China demolish England in Sudirman Cup
Taiwan's ex-leader continues hunger strike at hospital
Sri Lanka artillery barrage kills 378, doctor says
Yet another Gandhi rises in Indian politics
Taiwan dlr at 1-week high on funds, risk appetite
UK finance minister pledges stronger China ties
Mexico to skip China food expo over swine flu
Seoul shares open up helped by U.S. job data
Luxury brands look to China for cushion in crisis
"Star Trek" beams up $72.5 million in first weekend
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Indonesian president's party wins elections
Actor Tobey Maguire's wife gives birth to baby boy
Vegas magician Burton cancels shows after injury
Winfrey collects honorary degree, speaks at Duke
Greek puppet master Evgenios Spatharis dies at 85
'Star Trek' boldly goes to number one
Records broken at Tintin auction
Review: Curtain falls on Met's "Ring" production
`Star Trek' has galactic $76.5 million opening
Hundreds killed in Sri Lanka bloodbath | International |
Pope slams anti-Semitism on Israel visit
Georgia talks fail to find way out of stalemate | International |
Police: High-ranking Iraqi traffic official killed
Karzai very serious on ending air raids: official | International |
Centrica, EDF to sign deal on nuclear power
Qaeda in talks on freeing European hostages: paper | International |
NASA set for shuttle launch to Hubble telescope
U.S. soldier kills 5 at U.S. base in Baghdad: military | International |
OECD sees slowdown ease in some big economies
Israeli PM in Egypt, prepares for White House trip | International |
Obama to unveil healthcare savings plan
Pope in Israel, says will honor Holocaust dead | International |
Myanmar junta allows doctor to see ailing Suu Kyi | International |
Global ocean talks underway in Indonesia
Conference weighs how oceans reduce climate change
Demjanjuk at Ohio home; Germany expects him Tues.
EU to find Intel anti-competitive: sources | Technology |
Iran to free jailed US journalist, lawyers say
STIMULUS WATCH: Early road aid leaves out neediest
Mich. man kills wife with chain saw in accident
British leaders apologise over lawmakers' expenses
NM farmers work to preserve native chile varieties
Obama's Day: Health care, basketball
MPs targeted in latest British expenses row
Appeals court hears Indian trust case
Court battle over HK tycoon's billions begins
Exodus from Pakistan's northwest as fighting rages
Pop star Kylie dreams of film roles, not U.S. success | Entertainment |
Malaysia Indian protest leader to end exile abroad
Star Trek a rare hit among TV adaptations | Entertainment |
China bolsters disaster preparedness system
Reports: Japan's opposition leader to resign
Malaysia offers US help in fighting piracy
Japan opposition chief plans to resign: media
Japan pop icon Komuro gets suspended jail term
HSBC says first-quarter profits up
Hope mixes with grief among China quake survivors
China's inflation weakens further in April
Censor-defying Chinese director back at Cannes
Samsung forecasts tough year for chipmakers
Sony expects first loss in 14 years amid downturn
Chinese hurt in PNG nickel mine attack: reports
Indian vehicle sales up 1.1 percent in April
Report: Shinsei and Aozora Banks to merge
Seoul shares end firm; energy, utility issues help
Mitsubishi swapping $600 mln Morgan Stanley shares
Janes' Addiction singer hurts leg at Atlanta show
Lebanese billboard beauty sparks ugly election row
Malaysian racial riots cast shadow after 40 years
Arab-American comedians break the funny barrier
Global ocean talks underway in Indonesia
Indonesian president's party wins elections
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01