“In 2026, New Mexico is slated to be the #1 state in the nation for pecan production,” says John White, director of the Western Pecan Growers Association. The Mesilla Valley is one of the most dense, if not the densest pecan-growing clusters in the nation, with orchards in Doña Ana County and El Paso County producing nearly ⅓ of all U.S. pecans in any given year. 

Pecans first arrived in the Mesilla Valley in the early 1900s. NMSU professor, Fabian Garcia,  planted some of the first pecan trees in the region as part of his work as a horticulturist. These original plantings can still be seen today at NMSU’s Agricultural Research Center. Around 1915, following the construction of the Elephant Butte Dam, pecans became the “next big thing” for local farming families like the Salopeks, Stahmanns, and Peñas. The dam’s abundance of water filled rows of pecan fields using just gravity flow to irrigate the trees, requiring no electricity. The Mesilla Valley’s long, hot summers made way for even longer growing seasons, and the area’s isolation from other pecan farms across the country protected local orchards from pests that often plagued orchards elsewhere. Pecans began to dominate as the crop of choice in the valley’s farmland.

The orchards you see today when driving down Highway 28 have come a long way in the past 100 years or so. Tractors, harvesters, and tree shakers have modernized the industry, making orchards more efficient. “It’s become more of a science,” John shares. “Proper pruning, proper farming, and proper fertilization have all made pecan farming more productive, and overall, more profitable. Regardless, it’s still hard work that requires a high level of intention and commitment on the part of the farmer,” he continues.

Given that pecans are harvested in the fall and winter, they’ve become branded as a holiday ingredient, but the American Pecan Council has conducted research that finds pecans are good for so much more than your favorite holiday dessert. They’re a nutrient-rich, heart healthy snack that’s high in fiber. “Fresh pecans will be light golden brown or wheat in color, and while they’re technically shelf-stable, they truly should be stored in the fridge or freezer. You’ll find that when pecans are left at room temperature for months on end, they turn darker in color and develop a sharp, bitter taste,” John says.

Beyond the health benefits, pecans play a major role in local commerce and in the environment. As a crop that is produced, marketed, and sold here, pecans bring money back into the local economy. Equipment sales, farm staffing, and crop transportation all provide employment opportunities for locals. Pecan orchards also help cut down on the amount of dust in the air during the notorious New Mexico windstorms. The leaves trap dust particulates, improving air quality and helping with carbon sequestration. 

Over the course of the past century, the pecan industry has overcome various obstacles. “With the Mesilla Valley’s pecans expanding into the global pecan market, our orchards have lost their protection from common pecan pests, so we have to take more care than we once did. We work closely with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to protect our orchards from outside pests that get introduced during processing.”

While pests remain a consistent  threat to the success of our local pecan orchards, an even greater threat is water – or the lack thereof. “Drought is a serious factor,” says John. Las Cruces and El Paso both have access to an underground water supply, which helps during the years that the river isn’t flowing well. Farmers often use a combination of river water and ground water to irrigate their crops, but continued drought conditions have made for overwhelming scarcity. 

“Supporting local pecans helps farmers have the means to create and employ more sustainable solutions to these pressing threats to the industry. A healthy pecan market helps make it possible to fund research into pecan varieties that use less water, as well as the role of mulch in water conservation. These funds also help farmers implement things like micro sprinklers in their orchards, sending water directly to the root system, and minimizing the water that evaporates into the atmosphere.” 

While these tactics have been successful, it takes resources to implement them, and the industry’s ability to cope with drought will determine the future of pecan farming in our region and abroad. Pecans are such an integral part of life in Las Cruces, however, that many have confidence in the industry’s ability to adapt to the changing climate. Organizations like the Western Pecan Growers Association, which was established in 1966, support farmer education and advocacy, to keep local orchards thriving. The association, as well as the industry, has grown steadily from its meager beginnings, now incorporating new technology and better production and marketing methods to help keep the industry fresh with new markets, new ideas, new equipment, and committed growers.

With many of our local pecan trees surpassing 100 years of age, pecan farming is deeply rooted in the Mesilla Valley’s culture and traditions. By celebrating both their history and health benefits, pecans can continue to be a cherished part of life in Las Cruces for generations to come.

For more information, visit westernpecan.org.