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Big Jim Farms goes bigger with U-Pick sunflowers, chile and pumpkins
Big Jim Farms is going even bigger for its upcoming U-Pick season.
Earlier this year, the farm moved to Los Poblanos Open Space fields, an area that spans 21 acres. That鈥檚 approximately three times the size of its last location, where it resided for six years. In addition to more growing space for more crops, the new spot also provides better parking options.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a big parking lot that鈥檚 just designated for parking. So it鈥檚 a lot safer for people who visit,鈥� said Chantelle Wagner, the daughter of owner Jim Wagner. 鈥淎nd we can grow a lot, like more in stages. So instead of just a few rows of (crops), we can have huge fields of flowers, chile, pumpkins and everything we want to grow.鈥�
While the farm itself is much larger now, visitors can still choose from the same variety of U-Pick options. That is kicked off with sunflower season, which began in August and draws to a close near the end of September. It鈥檚 $5 to rent clippers, and guests can put their flowers in a free mason jar at the end of the experience.
鈥淭he sunflower field is huge, and it鈥檚 pretty epic,鈥� Wagner said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely something you don鈥檛 see every day. There鈥檚 a lot of photo-ops in there, so that鈥檚 exciting.鈥�
The most anticipated U-Pick season involves green chile, which runs through October. As with all experiences, there is no admission fee to explore the fields, and visitors only pay for what they pick.
鈥淧eople who鈥檝e been coming to our farm since the beginning are always very excited about green chile picking,鈥� Wagner said. 鈥溾�� It鈥檚 a very unique experience, and it鈥檚 very tied to our hearts as New Mexicans. I would say that鈥檚 probably the center of our mission.鈥�
As any native New Mexican can attest, it鈥檚 not only about the green. At Big Jim Farms, red chile U-pick starts in September and goes through October. That experience includes the option of a red chile ristra class, ideal as the holidays approach.
鈥淲e started a ristra making class two years ago. It became really popular,鈥� Wagner said. 鈥淲e are going to be offering that so they can pick the chile if they want it to and make the ristra, or we鈥檒l already have it picked and prepped for them to make the ristra. During the class we go through the history of it, how it originated, the types of chile.鈥�
Meanwhile, attendees can pick their own pumpkin from the end of September through Halloween. Wagner says a greater variety of pumpkin seeds were planted than in previous years, so options will abound.
鈥淭he field is really big where the pumpkins are, and they鈥檙e really healthy right now,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to get some good pumpkins that they can pick straight from the vine.鈥�
As Big Jim Farms becomes more established in its new location, Wagner hopes to increase the number of experiences offered. One already in the works is a holiday-themed U-Pick event that is expected to launch in mid-November. Specific details are still coming together.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to be doing the same thing (with) people able to go outside and experience picking something, but it鈥檚 going to be holiday-themed related to New Mexico traditions 鈥� the food and everything that surrounds Christmas in New Mexico,鈥� Wagner said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l have Christmas trees and wreaths, local vendors and food that鈥檚 prepared with local farms and dairies.鈥�
Next year, Wagner hopes to add more crops, including a Three Sisters garden (corn, beans and squash), as well as more selections of flowers. With the move to the Los Poblanos Open Space, Big Jim Farms has scaled back on some of the attractions 鈥� live music, food trucks, etc. 鈥� that once accompanied its U-Pick events.
鈥淲e want to focus mostly on the U-Pick, field trips and education,鈥� Wagner said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not really something that Open Space really does. We still have live music that鈥檚 more acoustic for people to enjoy, kind of hang out and complement the experience.鈥�
The experience alone is well worth the visit.
鈥淭he scenery and the backdrop is outstanding. The Los Poblanos Open Space is really a pretty place where people go and walk every single day,鈥� Wagner said. 鈥淛ust that in itself is an added benefit.鈥�
8+ pictures of you pickem at Big Jim Farms
