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A Farm Stay Experience In Albuquerque, New Mexico

Los Poblanos

Breakfast being made at Los Poblanos. Photo courtesy of Sergio Salvador Photo.

“For today’s breakfast options we have a house made chorizo frittata with seasonal vegetables and buttered hominy or a toasted local blue corn meal polenta with two eggs and toast served with house-made green chile sausage.” I’m currently enjoying a truly farm-to-table breakfast at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm — which, spoiler alert, easily becomes a major highlight of my New Mexico visit. While Albuquerque isn’t typically the first place you picture when thinking about organic farms, acres of gardens and rows upon rows of delicious crops, it actually has a vibrant farm country culture in the North Valley area. There are numerous family-run farms and grower’s markets in the area worth exploring, though at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm you get a truly immersive experience through their farm stay, culinary program, events and programming. Originally, the land that Los Poblanos sits on was inhabited by an ancient Pueblo Indian tribe called the Anasazi, followed by the Armijos, a prominent Hispanic political family who built a ranch and used the land for corn, alfalfa, wheat and wine grapes. In 1934 the ranch was acquired by Albert and Ruth Simms and it became the model experimental farm that it is today. The couple remodeled the ranch, employing famed architect John Gaw Meem to help with the refurbishment and turning it into an agricultural center, cattle ranch and community hub for political and cultural activities. In fact, there were often art exhibitions, concerts in their ballroom and lecture series with speakers like Thornton Wilder and Rockwell Kent. Moreover, it was home to the original Creamland Dairies, playing a major role in New Mexico’s dairy industry.
farm suites

Los Poblanos Farm Suites. Photo courtesy of Mike Crane Photo.

Today, Los Poblanos encompasses 25 acres (10 hectares) of the original estate. While it’s been refurbished and added on to over the years, much of the heritage has been preserved through the agricultural focus as well as the architecture and decor. While Meem is responsible for the beautiful fresco murals paying homage to local agriculture and elaborate unfinished wood carvings, New Mexican artist Gustave Baumann is the reason you see the inn’s iconic San Ysidro Labrador with motifs of corn and wheat in the inn’s ballroom. Moreover, pioneer female landscape architect Rose Greely designed their formal Spanish-style gardens, while Robert Woodman — who was part of the Spanish Pueblo Revival movement — is responsible for the decorative tinwork in the chandeliers, mirrors and other furnishings. Throughout the building of Los Poblanos you’ll also find artwork by New Mexican artists. These are just a few of the many people involved in preserving the unique local New Mexican history and culture. Surprisingly, the room rates are affordable, about $150 to $200 per night. That being said, you can enjoy breakfast or dinner at the inn without being a guest if you make a reservation. Since all ingredients are sourced on property or within 200 miles (322 kilometers) they call the cuisine “Rio Grande Cuisine.” Dishes incorporate French cooking techniques like braising, roasting and confit using local ingredients. The menu changes daily, with some possible dishes you may come across including house-made pound cake French toast; local blue corn meal pancakes; breakfast tostada with local beans, farm vegetables, cheese, sauce and farm-fresh eggs; and cardamom aebleskiver with house-made fruit preserves and house-cured bacon. During my visit, I opted to sample their toasted local blue corn meal polenta with two eggs and toast served with house-made green chile sausage. It was like art on a plate, the blue corn meal paying homage to the Native Pueblos while the green chile represented New Mexico’s iconic regional food.
Los Poblanos

Farmer Kyle out in the Kitchen Garden. Photo courtesy of Josh Hailey Studio.

Visitors can tour their organic garden, which grows crops like tomatoes, corn, artichoke, squash, roses, sunflowers, herbs, arugala, apples and fragrant lavender. The lavender is not only used in some of their drinks, but also the bath and body products found in their artisinal farm shop. They also harvest their own honey — which has a floral flavor as the bees pollinate the onsite lavender — and visitors can see the beehives. Some of the many other experiences one can have at Los Poblanos include cooking classes, gardening seminars and educational events on beekeeping.
Jessie Festa standing in front of grafitti wall

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4 Comments

  1. Lance on at 5:29 pm

    Your timing with this post couldn’t be better. We are planning an October trip to New Mexico that will include a couple of days in Albuquerque. This is exactly the type of place we love.

  2. Jessie Festa on at 4:51 am

    @Lance- I literally just got back from there so if you have any questions let me know. Tip: Eat as many fresh roasted green chiles as possible. They’re delicious and in everything! Also, The Candy Lady in Old Town has some quirky sweets worth checking out. And make sure to explore the nature areas and neighborhoods by bike as much as possible.

  3. Stephanie Brown on at 8:04 pm

    The Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm seems lovely. I’ve been searching for a place to take some R&R lately. I’m a foodie and food is one of my considerations in picking a place. Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm looks like it’s the perfect place for me. Thank you! Marble Mountain Ranch

    • jess2716 on at 1:43 pm

      @Stephanie: You’ll be in heaven!

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