The Amy Goldman-Fowler Teaching Garden, part of New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute, is now open for self-guided tours. The quarter-acre garden, located at NMSU’s Fabián García Science Center in Las Cruces, 113 W. University Ave., welcomes visitors from sunrise to sunset seven days a week throughout the chile-growing season. It features 140 different varieties of chile peppers that showcase various culinary uses in New Mexico and globally.
“This year’s theme – ‘What’s on the Menu?’ – highlights the culinary significance of chile peppers, encouraging visitors to explore both everyday varieties and rare finds alike,” said April Beauchemin, a program specialist for the Chile Pepper Institute. “We encourage visitors to scan QR codes on select garden labels for insights into their culinary uses and recipes that highlight each pepper’s unique flavor and heat profile. We hope that visitors to this year’s garden enjoy the interactive experience and incorporate a recipe or two into their menu rotation.”
Beauchemin advised visitors to respect the garden and grounds while on tours. She recommended visiting in the early mornings or late afternoons to avoid the heat of the day, bringing proper skin protection, and staying hydrated. Visitors should proceed with caution if the grounds appear wet or muddy.
Guided tours are available for $25 per person, with reservations made by calling 575-646-3028 or visiting the Chile Pepper Institute in Gerald Thomas Hall, Room 265, on NMSU’s Las Cruces campus. All proceeds benefit chile pepper research and education at NMSU.
The garden will close for tours when temperatures drop and the first freeze arrives, usually around late October.
Established in 1995 by the Chile Pepper Institute, the garden is named after Amy Goldman-Fowler—a gardener, author, artist, and philanthropist who advocated for seed saving, plant breeding, and heirloom fruits and vegetables. Goldman-Fowler's support makes the teaching garden possible every year.
“The Amy Goldman-Fowler Teaching Garden stands as a cornerstone of the Chile Pepper Institute's educational outreach efforts,” Beauchemin added. “The seasonal garden offers a vibrant tribute to the global diversity of chile peppers, with a special focus on New Mexico's iconic pod varieties integral to our cuisine, industry and culture.”
For more information, visit https://cpi.nmsu.edu; follow the Chile Pepper Institute on Instagram and Facebook; call 575-646-3028; or email cpi@nmsu.edu.
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