In 1954 Dencil and Mary Gillis began farming in the Hatch Valley, which is known for producing chile with a unique flavor, as well as the highest quality onions. They farmed chili, onions, squash and other vegetable products. They along with three of their children, Brenda, Duane and Dale are still farming today in the Chile Capital of the World, Hatch, New Mexico.
Mrs. Rose Riggs came to Southern New Mexico in 1918 with her family and cleared the land and began farming in beautiful Rio Grande Valley. As a young woman she married Fred S. Riggs. In 1954, Rose and Fred's daughter Mary and her husband Dencil Gillis began farming in the Hatch Valley, which is known for producing chili with a unique flavor, as well as the highest quality onions. They farmed chili, onions, squash and other vegetable products. In 1964 they built the first chili dehydrator in the state of New Mexico where they dehydrated their fresh red chilies. They, along with their children, are still processing and shipping the famous Barker Brand Red Chili Pods. The family now has five generations living in the Valley. They are proud to say they live in the Hatch Valley.
