New Mexico's beloved green chile crop is recognized nationwide, and the state's pride in the crop is evident even on its license plates. Thanks to an enterprising plant scientist, green chile is now gaining fame in the final frontier. Chimayo chile differs in many ways from Hatch green chile, due in large part to the soil, water, and seeds in the northern New Mexico town. In addition, it is also the first chile crop grown in space but, hopefully, not the last. KRQE News 13's Chad Brummett spoke with one farmer who is sharing his family tradition of chile, now with sights on extra-terrestrial cultivation. Jacob Torres, an Española native, interned with NASA in 2021. At that time, one of their missions was to grow fruit in space. Seeing it as an opportunity to link his past to his future, Torres offered up New Mexico's iconic crop for zero-gravity cultivation. Sandia’s ‘BAT Lab’ doing extensive EV battery testing However, NASA needed seeds for the mission – an item farmers are often protective of. That is where Fidel Martinez entered the picture. Martinez's Chimayo chile seeds are multi-generational, with decades of cultivation passed on from his grandparents. The farmer does not sell his Chimayo seeds or the crop; after he and his wife retired from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, chile farming remained a passion project for Martinez. The New Mexican's chiles were usually reserved for family and friends, but he offered them up to supply the seeds for NASA's efforts. How CNM is leading the way in quantum computer workforce training Martinez's work inspired Torres to develop The Space Chile Grow a Pepper Plant Challenge, which encourages kids around the country to try different methods of growing the hearty crop. For the challenge, students request seeds and an experiment kit online, choose the method through which they will grow the crop, and post the results on the program's social media sites. Next, the goal is to grow chile on the moon. The crop has grown well so far due to its hardiness, so it can teach scientists how to grow other crops in harsh conditions as well, serving purposes both on and beyond Earth. To find out more or to request your own chile growing kit, click here. About New Mexico Frontiers New Mexico is the doorway to the new frontier – leading the way into the future of Aerospace, Bio-science, Renewable Energy, Digital Media and Film, Advanced Manufacturing, and so much more. Join us as Chad Brummett and New Mexico Frontiers profile the movers and shakers from our state who are changing the world. ‘New Mexico Frontiers’ celebrates the enterprising spirit of the state’s businesses, scientists, creators, and entrepreneurs.