The chile season in New Mexico has not been easy this year. In August, chile farmers were worried about entire crops going to waste because of worker shortages.Glen Duggins of Five Star Chili Farmer said he did not expect the season to end like this. "I thought it would be a disaster all the way through. So it did turn out a little better than we thought it would," Duggins said.After asking the governor's office for help, they allocated $5 million to help increase wages. "It didn't do much for the green chili, but it is helping right now. The money, they are happy — look at them," Duggins said.As fields of green chiles turned red, it was a race against the clock. If all those chiles didn't get picked, it likely would've gone to waste. Typically, chiles are sent from southern New Mexico to northern New Mexico, but there are more than 40 workers picking all of this red chile. This all then gets sent to Las Mesa, New Mexico.The chiles being packed will eventually go all over the nation. "He took my crop along with his and others. It's going to Seco Spice, they will process and they will grind it," Duggins said. "Do whatever they do with it and this will more than likely wind up in Taco Bell."Duggins says farmers helping farmers is an example of what the chile community is all about."It says that the New Mexico farmers stand by each other. We're going to help each other and we're going to get through this and the whole world wants this chile, not Colorado or Arizona or anywhere — this is what they want. And it's going all over the world," Duggins said. After a year of ups and downs, Duggins feels proud of his New Mexico chile. “It makes you feel good. It does give a rush when we see people eating, they are talking about how good the chile is," Duggins said.Watch the video above to learn more about this story.
The chile season in New Mexico has not been easy this year. In August, chile farmers were worried about entire crops going to waste because of worker shortages.
Glen Duggins of Five Star Chili Farmer said he did not expect the season to end like this.
"I thought it would be a disaster all the way through. So it did turn out a little better than we thought it would," Duggins said.
After asking the governor's office for help, they allocated $5 million to help increase wages.
"It didn't do much for the green chili, but it is helping right now. The money, they are happy — look at them," Duggins said.
As fields of green chiles turned red, it was a race against the clock. If all those chiles didn't get picked, it likely would've gone to waste.
Typically, chiles are sent from southern New Mexico to northern New Mexico, but there are more than 40 workers picking all of this red chile. This all then gets sent to Las Mesa, New Mexico.
The chiles being packed will eventually go all over the nation.
"He took my crop along with his and others. It's going to Seco Spice, they will process and they will grind it," Duggins said. "Do whatever they do with it and this will more than likely wind up in Taco Bell."
Duggins says farmers helping farmers is an example of what the chile community is all about.
"It says that the New Mexico farmers stand by each other. We're going to help each other and we're going to get through this and the whole world wants this chile, not Colorado or Arizona or anywhere — this is what they want. And it's going all over the world," Duggins said.
After a year of ups and downs, Duggins feels proud of his New Mexico chile.
“It makes you feel good. It does give a rush when we see people eating, they are talking about how good the chile is," Duggins said.
Watch the video above to learn more about this story.
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