Registration is now open for the world's largest conference dedicated to chile peppers. The 2019 New Mexico Chile Conference hosted by New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute runs from Feb. 4-5 at Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces.

Registration is now open for the 2019 New Mexico Chile Conference. The event runs from Feb. 4-5 at Hotel Encanto and is hosted by New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute. (NMSU photo by Andres Leighton)This year's conference will include experts who will speak on various topics including: developing and improving the New Mexico chile industry's sustainable competitive advantage, organic management practices in chile peppers, updates on the New Mexico Chile Certification Program and panel discussion research update on green chile de-stemming.

The conference will also feature booths from companies that can assist New Mexico chile pepper growers to sustain excellence and encourage profitable yields. Some of these companies include J&J Supply, Western Blend Fertilizer, New Mexico Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit of New Mexico.

"Part of the overwhelming success of the conference can be attributed to the networking opportunities where attendees can speak to and collaborate with the leading individuals in the chile pepper industry and research," said Paul Bosland co-founder and director of the Chile Pepper Institute. "This year's conference agenda offers attendees many informational and educational opportunities, ranging from organic growing to New Mexico's chile pepper certification program.".

In addition, there will be presentations on "Increasing Water Use Efficiency to Meet Future Chile Pepper Production" by Blair Stringam, and Travis Hubbs with the USDA Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act will speak about promoting fair trade of New Mexico chile peppers.

A highlight each year is the student research poster competition. Students are encouraged to present their research findings to the public. Judges are recruited and posters awarded according to a specific criteria. The top student poster receives a travel money award to a professional research conference of their choice.

Conference pre-registration for individuals is $135 and booth pre-registration is $475. After Jan. 18, individual prices will go up to $150 and walk-in registration booths will be $500. For more information on the conference, contact the Chile Pepper Institute at 575-646-3028 or register online here.