A workshop is held every three months to focus on issues affecting growers at appropriate times of the year, said Esteban Herrera, horticulturist with NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether they are apple growers or not. Red and yellow delicious are the most common varieties grown in the state, followed by Rome beauty, he said.
Some producers also grow newer varieties like braeburn, fuji and gala.
New Mexico's apples have a sweeter taste than apples grown in other parts of the country, Herrera said. The color may not be there, but the taste and sweetness is much better. Most of New Mexico's apples are marketed locally around the time of harvest, because the state's production is relatively low compared to other states. New Mexico doesn't have the cold storage facilities to keep the apples fresh until later in the season, Herrera explained. This will be the first workshop for the new New Mexico Apple Council.