Pecan trees from Stahman's pastDuring last year's visit, we drove to the farm for our pie and pecans only to be greeted by a locked door and a sign that the retail shop is closed. Not a good sign for sure. Remembering the closure, we visited another previous source; Julienne's Jewelry Shop located on Calle De Guadalupe in Old town Mesilla, where we have been able to purchase Stahman's goods in the past when time did not permit a drive to the farm. The shop staff informed us that Stahman's is now completely closed having been purchased by a Chinese run company. She has heard that all of the pecans will be exported leaving no pecans for local use from Stahman's trees.
Luckily, Julienne has found a new source for locally grown pecans and pies and we indeed purchased some of each to share with our dear friends. Annually and without fail, we have visited this shop and other businesses and restaurants in Old Town Mesilla. This pecan pie was very good, not the overly sweet filling of other versions of the pie but pleasant and flavorful. If you visit Las Cruces, do stop at Julienne's. Warning! You will be enticed by the wonderful clothing, shoes, boots, and jewelry awaiting purchase as well as various pecan treats and locally made coffees. Then, drift around the square to visit a marvelous bookstore, a salsa shop or two, chocolate shop, ice cream store, gift shops and several Mexican restaurants to savor. The locals are friendly and warm sporting golden smiles.
For all of you history buffs, back to Stahman's Pecan Farm and its history. My friend Leora told me that years ago, when her now 20 something children were young, they enjoyed many memorable school field trips to the farm. The farm workers formed a community, living on the farm land in staff housing and enjoying a thriving community life style; The school visits were very special and welcomed by the staff and highly anticipated by the children. This strong farming community thrived for decades (1950 to the 1990's) and then the land surrounding began to be swept up by developers and farm workers chose to move into houses of their choice, drastically changing the nature of Farm communal life. Those days are now completely lost with the sale of the farm.
The farm's legacy luckily lives on and has been documented through many research projects and precious oral history projects supported by the University of the State of New Mexico, Las Cruces campus. I have provided 2 of the many links below for those who enjoy delving into history. It is hoped that the local pecans sold overseas will be well revered and Las Cruces will continue to be source of supplies for local pecan lovers as well. We must have faith that while life is full of changes, they will be for the better.
And now, for another piece of pecan pie.
A quote from one of the articles preserving the history of the ranch; They’re the stories of the workers of Stahmann Farms and the communities hidden behind the iconic pecan trees. Those communities existed from the 1950s until 1990, and once boasted their own clinic, gas station, company store, hen house and airstrip, which was mainly used by the farms’ owners.
Visit the following URL for the history of the farm
Another link to more historical insight into farm life and community on Stahman's farm visit, http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/education/nmsu/2016/09/11/nmsu-researchers-tell-stories-stahmann-farms/90231176/
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