Agricultural Field Trip

With Fall in full swing in Northern New Mexico, my choices were quite limited regarding an agricultural field trip.  However, I lucked up and found the Romero Orchard.  This family run Orchard has been operating for three generations, and during my visit, I was blessed to meet both the second and third generations.  The orchard grows several types of fruit. The apples they grow include: Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Winesap, Johnny Red, Stamen Winesap, MacIntosh, Red Rome, Jonanthan, and old summer apples, such as, Crab Apple. In addition to apples, they grow Lincoln and Bartlett pears; Hale, Alberta, Haleberta, and Early Giant peaches; and several varieties of apricots. Unfortunately, due to the lateness of the season and specific year, I was only able to view and pick several varieties of apples and Bartless pears.   However, the experience was exciting and quite humbling.  Growing up in Virginia, I have picked from orchards and individual trees throughout my life, but the challenges faced by the Romero family are far beyond anything Virginian's face. As you can see from the photo below, this is a dry, high desert climate, over 6,000 feet in elevation with volcanic soil. 

Irrigation is needed heavily in this environment and is accomplished through the old way, acequias or ditches.  These systems have been and continue to be used throughout New Mexico, beginning in the days of the Spanish Conquest of New Mexico.  The ditch system runs from the nearby Embudo river to the fields, which are flooded every 15 days. 

 

The Rio Embudo is less than 1/4 mile from the Orchard

Clovis Romero, the elder of the family, pointed out the ditch line and explained the system to me.

 

The ten acre farm is full and flourishing now.  After the first planting in the early 1900s by Octaviano Romero, a bad frost came through in 1950s, and the orchard had to be replanted.  In 1964, Clovis Romero took over the orchards, and his son, Masias, returned to assist him in 1992. The hope is that Masias will take over one day and be able to maintain the orchards. Still, all of the second and third generation Romeros have held or hold full time jobs outside the Orchard.

 

When I asked about the equipment and labor used Clovis Romero said that except for the types of vehicles used to get around the farm and to market, etc. nothing has changed.  They continue to use ladders and people to pick the fruit.  However, they have built a refrigerated room recently to save apples that don't sell right away.  Since the closure of the market where the fruit use to be sold, all fruit is picked by individuals for their own use or transported to Albuquerque, over two and a half hours away.

Although I believe this farm is sustainable because it has served survived destruction, served prior generations, and is poised to serve future ones, the farm is not an organic farm.  Mr. Clovis Romero says there are two organic orchards, one on either side of his property, but they cannot successfully grow fruit without pesticides. He said they have the healthiest worms anyone ever saw.  I think in this case the family has no choice but to spray.  Still, they assure me they do it as little as possible.  All in all, it was an exciting and educational experience.  It was relaxing as well. Plus, we picked plenty of apples for pies and trail bars.

Capulin Ice Cave and Bears on the Loose

Friday after work, my husband and I headed out for a hike at Capulin Campground in the Carson National Forest.  We hiked to an ice cave with a small waterfall there a few months ago and wanted to check it out in the Fall.  To our surprise, the campground was closed to vehicles and camping due to the entrance gate being closed. Well, we parked by the road and walked in wondering what was going on at the site. Then we saw these newly posted signs:

                                   

While I didn't actually see the bears, I was happy to see they are still around out here.  We decided to try another trail, but it was getting dark so we went home.  However, the next day we went to Santa Fe Ski Basin in the Santa Fe National forest, and everyone from all over the area was out enjoying the area. It was quite inspirational and we had a great time.  With so many people enjoying hiking and fishing, I have hope for conservation and the future.

Saturday in the Wilderness

My husband and I went to the Cruces Basin Wilderness this weekend.  It was a long drive on a 4x4 road, but it was beautiful. We arrived ready for a hike, but there are no official trails.  You have to find an animal trail or trek cross country.  We parked at 8500 feet and chose a ridgeline to hike up.  It was very difficult. We took our altimeter and by the time we reached the ridgetop, we were at almost 10K feet.  At the top, my husband went off exploring, and I sat and took in the views. The hawk in the photo above was perched there for a long time, so I snapped the shot.  It always amazes me how you can climb so high and end up in a beautiful meadow surrounded by higher peaks as with this trip, or you can find a lake.  It  is truly inspiring.

The mountains in the distance are in Colorado.

In addition to the hawk, I saw many other animals on the trip, including, chipmunks, deer, antelope, grouse, and prairie dogs.  Seeing animals is fund, but also, it is a good sign to see them where they live. It was an exhausting, but super day.