NMSU to host hybrid New Mexico Chile Conference Feb. 1

New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute and Extension Plant Sciences Department will host the world’s largest chile pepper conference Tuesday, Feb. 1, in Las Cruces, NMSU said in a news release.

Attendees at the 2022 New Mexico Chile Conference will have the option of attending in-person conference sessions at the Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Ave., or participating remotely via Zoom.

 “The New Mexico Chile Conference has always been one of the most informative conferences on chile peppers,” said Stephanie Walker, NMSU associate professor, extension vegetable specialist and conference co-founder. “We provide growers, processors and researchers with the latest information and let them know that NMSU is on the cutting edge of chile pepper innovation.”

 The conference will feature nearly 20 different speakers, including chile researchers and experts from NMSU, the University of Arizona and industry organizations such as the New Mexico Chile Association and Western Growers.

It also will feature discussions on a wide range of topics, including chile peppers in Minnesota; the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers program; new information on mechanization, flavor profiles and diseases; pest updates and innovations; and many other current topics.

 Efren Delgado, co-director of the NMSU Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems, also will discuss a collaboration between the center and the chile industry.

 Vendor booths also will be available at the convention center during the conference.

Conference registration is open at chilepepperinstitute.ecwid.com. All registrants will receive a schedule of events and speakers, Zoom connection information and a list of vendor booths. They also will receive conference goodies via mail.

 For more information, call 575-646-3028 and visit cpi.nmsu.edu.