MESQUITE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
BRN Senior Fellows, Gary Nabhan, ethnobotanist and author, and Laurie Monti, cultural ecologist, have hosted an educational workshop series in Patagonia including topics such as the history and uses of mesquite, food preparation using mesquite flour and pods, as well as pod harvesting walks teaching community members how to harvest pods. These workshops were followed by mesquite milling workshops utilizing a hammermill that was purchased thanks to generous support from the Rachel E. Golden Foundation and the Wright-Ingraham Institute. The mill is also available for community use to mill mesquite pods into flour.
These workshops led to the formation of the Mesquite Stewardship Program to create a core group of individuals who will further build skills, learn, connect and collaborate across different communities in Southern Arizona with a shared passion for mesquite and in turn to bring this knowledge to the community at large. The Mesquite Stewardship Program draws members from near and far who participate in regional and online learning opportunities and is open to anyone who is curious to learn about mesquite. New members are accepted on an ongoing basis.
COMMUNITY MESQUITE STEWARDS
The Mesquite Stewards are committed to expanding and sharing the general knowledge about mesquite food uses and nutritional and societal benefits, valued-added products that can be made from mesquite, learning new skills, championing the use of mesquite, exploring the role of mesquite in a restorative economy, and the importance of this iconic tree in our landscapes for habitat and wildlife. Stewards meet monthly to expand their training and knowledge through workshops with experts, and will host community workshops, as well as mesquite milling days for the general public. Stewards are also responsible for maintaining the mesquite mill.
If you’d like to learn more about the Mesquite Stewardship Program, or become a Community Mesquite Steward, please contact Juliet Jivanti, Educational Coordinator, jjivanti@borderlandsrestoration.org.
These workshops led to the formation of the Mesquite Stewardship Program to create a core group of individuals who will further build skills, learn, connect and collaborate across different communities in Southern Arizona with a shared passion for mesquite and in turn to bring this knowledge to the community at large. The Mesquite Stewardship Program draws members from near and far who participate in regional and online learning opportunities and is open to anyone who is curious to learn about mesquite. New members are accepted on an ongoing basis.
COMMUNITY MESQUITE STEWARDS
The Mesquite Stewards are committed to expanding and sharing the general knowledge about mesquite food uses and nutritional and societal benefits, valued-added products that can be made from mesquite, learning new skills, championing the use of mesquite, exploring the role of mesquite in a restorative economy, and the importance of this iconic tree in our landscapes for habitat and wildlife. Stewards meet monthly to expand their training and knowledge through workshops with experts, and will host community workshops, as well as mesquite milling days for the general public. Stewards are also responsible for maintaining the mesquite mill.
If you’d like to learn more about the Mesquite Stewardship Program, or become a Community Mesquite Steward, please contact Juliet Jivanti, Educational Coordinator, jjivanti@borderlandsrestoration.org.
UPCOMING COMMUNITY WORKSHOP DATES & EVENTS
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Mesquite Walks: June 19, 2021 9AM -11AM, Patagonia, AZ Lead By: Martha Ames Burgess, Adjunct Professor Tohono O'odham Community College Join us for nature walks through mesquite bosques at various locations around Patagonia to learn about the natural history of mesquite, nutritional value and how to process for food and beverage use. We'll explore how to select, harvest, and store mesquite tree pods from the abundant and valuable local resource of mesquite trees. Prepare now so that you can begin to harvest mature pods for grinding into sweet, yet low-glycemic flour at our upcoming community mesquite milling workshop in the fall. Mission Garden Mesquite Milling: June 26, 2021 7AM-12PM, Tucson, AZ Mission Garden is partnering with organizations and individuals passionate about mesquite to offer mesquite milling, workshops, and mesquite foods to the public. Stop by Mission Garden for educational mini-workshops and demonstrations related to harvesting, growing, propagating, and cooking with mesquite. More details to come! Community Mesquite Milling Workshop: September 2021, Patagonia, Date TBD Discover the process of mesquite seed pods into nutritious flour. Expect to learn how to select, prepare, mill and store mesquite pods and flour. We will offer a live demonstration of the milling process, as well as providing training on basic food and mill safety procedures. All attendees will receive a taste of mesquite flour and syrup and a handout on harvesting and processing pods for food. Contact Juliet Jivanti, Educational Coordinator, jjivanti@borderlandsrestoration.org to sign up. |
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"And yet, as global temperatures continue to rise, as groundwater levels plummet, and as rivers and reservoirs dry up, social conflicts and poverty will inevitably worsen in the US/Mexico borderlands. How do we move toward a cohesive, binational plan with tangible solutions to alleviate these problems? We feel that a concerted effort to better utilize the many arid adaptation of mesquite trees can leverage new solutions."- Gary Nabhan
LEARN MORE ABOUT MESQUITE
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MANY THANKS TO SUPPORTERS OF THIS PROGRAM:
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