DOÑA ANA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – It's getting back to the roots of New Mexico's prized state vegetable. Some of the foremost experts in chile are now helping bring back the plant credited with starting it all, in a place that's been around long before New Mexico became a state.  Story cont inues below Podcast: What Will Voters Do With $1.5 Million? Entertainment: These movies were filmed in Las Cruces. Have you seen them? Crime: ABQ man charged federally for arson attacks at Tesla, Republican Party headquarters Weird: Peacocks spotted in Albuquerque neighborhoods. Where did they come from? "The chile industry wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for the No. 9 and for Fabian Garcia," said Michael Bailey, Interpretive Ranger for New Mexico Historic Sites.  It's considered the chile that started the pepper's history in New Mexico. Chile No. 9 was first developed in the 1900s by Fabian Garcia at New Mexico State University. "He was developing a chile cultivar that would be easier to harvest, that wasn't too hot, that really was the framework for what we have today," said Bailey.  Since then, newer chile varieties have taken over, such as the "Big Jim," and the original chile disappeared, at least until now. Fort Selden Historic Site is partnering with the NMSU, "Chile Pepper Institute" to bring back the No. 9 Chile. "We have like these 4 x 4 plots, so we're going to try and do nine per plot, so around 36 plants or so," said Bailey.  Michael Bailey is the interpretive ranger overseeing the project. He said they will begin planting this weekend with a community event and said it should be ready in August, to coincide with the Hatch Chile Festival. "I'm hoping it's hot, I really like hot chile...I hope that we succeed in doing it justice in growing it correctly, so I have all the hopes in the world that it'll turn out great," said Bailey.  If you'd like to join the chile kick-off event this Saturday, you can visit their website.  ...read more read less