West Camp Nopal is located in Muleshoe, a small town in the Texas Panhandle. Muleshoe has a dry, windy and sunny climate with cold winters.
West Camp Nopal
My name is Veronica Mata and I grew up in the small town of Lazbuddie, Texas. Like many people who grew up in small towns the childhood memories and people who helped build them never goes away, regardless of how far we may moved away. After high school I left to conquer the world; a world that was so much larger than I had grown up in. Years later I had accomplished most of what I wanted (with some failures), but COVID-19 happened and it changed daily life as we knew it.
Often we are surrounded by noise that keeps us moving at the same beat, but during this quiet time I was forced to hear myself. Up until then, the one area of my career I truly enjoyed was data, but felt that I needed time to learn more technical languages. So, I left my corporate job to focus on these technical languages. I also spent more and more time outside doing yardwork, and enjoying it, something I had previously hated. It was then that I started thinking of what to do with land we had in Muleshoe. I wanted to plant something, but I lack experience in farming and drought is a big concern.
It was the end of spring 2021, and the nopales in my parents backyard were ready for eating. I had grown up eating nopales, actually one of my all time favorite foods. As I sat under the shade removing the spines, I realized I was holding exactly what I had been looking for. Even if no one wanted them I knew I could live a happily every after life eating nopales every day! The nopal is a low maintenance plant, low water consumption, survives in hot and cold weather, can live a long time AND I can eat it! I didn’t give it another thought, and West Camp Nopal was born.
Currently, West Camp Nopal houses approximately 1,500 spineless opuntia ficus-indica plants (nopales). With proper maintenance the nopales are anticipated to live and be productive for 30 – 50 years. Thanks to many long days working the land and the overwhelming help from family, friends and neighbors West Camp Nopal has made it to its infancy stage.
A Science Experiment
With limited resources and no prior experience, I have had a huge learning curve. Through research I have discovered much information about this illusive plant, farm design, and its array of uses. Challenges are ongoing and include harvest quality and quantity that are susceptible to the weather, particularly frost and hail as unprecedented weather conditions sweep across the world. Research of nopal plantations in other parts of the world are available, but none have similar climates to Muleshoe. For this reason, West Camp Nopal is somewhat of a science experiment. Can the nopal survive and thrive through harsh winters?
Procedures
Initially, I asked my parents for a few spineless nopales from their backyard, but I hadn’t thought about how each pad becomes it’s own plant and ended up with a little under 200 individually planted nopales. A reasonable person may have stopped there, but excitement got the best of me and ended up with a little under 1,000 plants by fall 2021.
It’s important to note that the majority of nopal comes from Mexico where there are entire plantations dedicated to this wonderful plant. Mexico offers the nopal its’ preferred weather of dry, hot, sunny days with cool nights; BUT although Muleshoe has that exact weather in the summer, winters are long and cold. I am talking snow and freezing cold winds. Temperatures can drop as low as 0o F with winds of up to 40+ mph. Although, I knew that the nopales from my parents backyard had survived those kind of winters, I was uncertain whether they could survive out in the open. My parents backyard is sheltered with trees and building structures capable of limiting the cold, but out here there was nothing.
After research, I decided to cover them with burlap. Since this was the first year I needed to experiment and see what happened if I covered them vs leaving uncovered. That winter we covered about 75% and left the other 25% exposed to the elements. During the span of 6 months (Nov 21 – Apr 22) there were 100 days below freezing and at least 21 days with dew point temperatures below 0o F. Yes, in the negatives! Not necessarily the type of weather you want to camp outside in. I held my breath every time the wind howled – it was a long winter!
Results
When a cactus is under stress it will turn purple, and that is exactly what the unprotected nopales did. However, the protected were green and in many instances had baby sprouts where a new pads were forming. Despite the stress the purple nopales had been under they lost no time in sprouting new pads!
Future
I will be the first to admit that this has and continues to be a learning experience. A simple idea to plant nopales for my personal consumption, has turned into a great opportunity. There are so many scientific studies supporting many benefits for this prickly little plant, that it would be tragic to not continue exploring this path.
Although the possibilities are numerous, the first step is to continue verifying the nopales can survive the harsh winters. One year of survival is great, but it is not enough to establish a trend. Winter 2022 has already started, and I am again experimenting on what will survive under what conditions.
If the nopales survive the winter than I anticipate new pads to sprout May 2023.
- new pads on the nopales hitting the 2 year mark in 2023 will be available to eat
- new pads on nopales that are a year or less will be allowed to mature and stay permanently
In regards to the quantity, based on what I noted this summer it will be abundant. Essentially, each pad on a two year plant can sprout 2-3 new pads. Assume one plant has 3 pads then there can be up to 6-9 new pads!!
During 2023, I will be experimenting with planting techniques and nopal species. There are certain species that are more favorable for livestock and others that produce more prickly pear fruit. It is all a matter of testing to see what thrives where. It is also important that I continue researching the technology available to help protect and process the nopales.
For sure there will be a lot more research to do, especially, as it pertains to carbon sequestration. I am not as informed in the area of carbon credits, but, I know there is a market out there for it. Thankfully, there is research supporting the nopals’ ability to sequester carbon and it seems there are credits being offered for these. I just have to find them and figure out what it’s all about!
Are they for sale?
Depending on the survival rate after winter 2022, I will let you know whether there are any available. How? Check back here (Blog) or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Please be aware that the new pads cannot be planted; they will not survive. New pads can be eaten or made into different products. If you are curious on what type of products you can make search “cactus” or “nopal” plus whatever product you are trying to make (lotion, cleanser, shampoo, powder, etc).
Thank you!
This project started as an idea that when spoken out loud became a reality, but would have not gone far without my family and friends.
To my husband who had to hear my ramblings trying to piece this together, helped create this website, helps with farm work and continues to support me.
To my family for without their excitement, commitment and unwavering help; it would have never been possible.
To L & S for helping with farm work and reviewing content for this website.
To all our friends and acquaintances who have had to listen to “cactus life” and gave me encouragement.
Lastly, thank YOU for taking the time to learn about this project and all the benefits of the nopal.
