AZTECA – Those who buy locally grown chili are in luck. Sutherland and Townsend Farms in the Aztec region report smart crops.
A steady flow of consumers visited any of the farms on September 5 to buy farmed products.
“Chile is maturing a little more than usual,” Allen Sutherland said.
He said some of it is already turning red, which may be due to the warm August temperatures.
Popular Big Jims and chili peppers like Animas Medium Hot can be purchased at Sutherland Farms Market from 10 a. m. at 5 p. m. , daily life. Meanwhile, Townsend Farms has its roadside stand open from 10 a. m. to 6 p. M. , Daily life.
Both places allow consumers to buy a green pepper bushel, but only Townsend roasts the chili on site. Sutherland has roast chili to buy, but this year consumers can’t buy bushel and roast it while they wait. Sutherland’s son Bobby Sutherland frequents the farmers market in Durango, Colorado, on Saturdays and roasts peppers.
Allen Sutherland explained that it was difficult to locate paintings and this year the circle of relatives to cut expenses, in addition to not roasting chili on the farm, reduced production in Chile, instead of planting 10 acres of chili, Sutherland Farms planted two acres.
Meanwhile, Townsend Farms expanded its chili production, according to Cheryl Townsend-Woods, who helped consumers collect the bags of toasted green pepper they ordered on September 5.
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“Everything went well, ” he said of this year’s harvest. “We have a lot of chili. Lots of big, fleshy chili.
Both farms have food trucks installed on site. On September 5, Mama Foster is promoting green pepper burgers at Townsends Farms. Meanwhile, Sutherland Farms offers Purple Cow Kafe, which also includes locally grown chili in its offering.
And the farms are limited to Chile. You will find a variety of products, such as pumpkin, sweet corn and okra, at Sutherland Farms Market or at the Townsend Farm post along the U. S. Highway 550.
While Chile’s annual festival was cancelled this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sutherlands still hope the farm can host the pumpkin festival.
Sutherland said the farm had planted the same crops as in the past, a maze of corn.
“Who knew in April what would turn out?”Sutherland said, adding that other people still don’t know the long-term pandemic.
But pumpkins already turn orange or other colors depending on the variety, and Sutherland said there would be a smart variety to choose from.
Hannah Grover covers the for the Daily Times. Se can contact her at 505-564-4652 or email hgrover@daily-times. com.
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