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You are here: Home / Featured / Blue Corn in Starr County

Blue Corn in Starr County

February 9, 2016 by Working on Wellness

Blue corn is an ancient heirloom and it is up to 30% higher in protein than an average variety. In the United States, it is often associated with the Pueblo nations of the Southwest where it was grown for centuries before the arrival of the Spanish in 1540. Even today, New Mexican cuisine wouldn’t be the same without the iconic blue tortillas and chips that are also used in various other regions south of the border. Last winter, Vit Kaspar made a trip to New Mexico where he obtained some seed from the Red Willow Farm run by the indigenous people of Taos. This corn has an extremely reduced growing season due to the short summers in its region of origin, at the high elevation of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It was therefore expected to be potentially suitable for fall planting in South Texas. The preliminary trial resulted in a harvest within 60-65 days and yielded high quality kernels. After processing the shucked corn with lime (nixtamal), experimental tortillas were prepared at the Starr County Extension office. The Blue corn is now part of the Starr County Community Seed Bank and it will be made available to the public.

Filed Under: Featured, Starr County

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The Working on Wellness project is focused on improving the health environment of Hidalgo and Starr counties by increasing the residents’ access to healthy foods and places to be physically active.

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Testimonials

According to Mr. Muñoz, working in the Transforming Texas gardens teaches more than how to grow and sustain a garden.   While not all children will participate in building the garden in its early stages, every student who spreads compost, plants seeds, waters the garden, or harvests ripe fruits and vegetables, will see the product of their individual and team work.   He believes that the gardens teach students that with hard work and dedication you can grow your own personal success and proudly achieve your goals.   He is confident that the gardens cultivate more than organic produce, but actually cultivate a sense of pride and encouragement in the students that will transfer to other areas of their lives.

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