Photos: Farming quinoa in California

Timothy Schultz of Lundberg Family Farms checks out quinoa growing at Benson Farms in Brawley, Calif.

Carolyn Benson stands among quinoa growing at her Benson Farms in Brawley, Calif.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Adam Peterson of Lundberg Family Farms checks out quinoa growing at Benson Farms in Brawley, Calif.

Bryce Lundberg of Lundberg Family Farms, left, and Rick Benson check out quinoa growing at Benson Farms in Brawley, Calif.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A ladybug sitting on quinoa protects the crop from other insects. Quinoa, a very heat-sensitive crop from the high Andes, is now growing in California’s Imperial Valley.

Quinoa, a very heat-sensitive crop from the high Andes, is now growing in scorching heat of Brawley in Imperial County, Calif.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Bryce Lundberg of Lundberg Family Farms stands in lush green quinoa growing at Benson Farms in Brawley, Calif.