Calendar of Events

Desert Plant Workshops

Some might call them primitive skills—we call them timeless technologies which every citizen of the desert should know. Throughout the seasons we schedule outdoor hands-on workshops to share knowledge of the desert shared with us by Native elders. We guide you in sustainable harvesting of desert foods and traditional medicines, then through culinary alchemy, into the joy and good health they provide.

Other workshops include traditional basketry techniques using native plants.

Our events are sponsored by several different organizations. For details, please see below.

Upcoming events:

		Mole Making workshops at Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008, 1:30-3:30 or Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008, 6-8 pm or Thursday, Nov 6, 2008, 9-11 am Moles are a complex blend of herbs, spices, specific chile peppers, and nuts which create amazing flavorings and sauces for veggies or meats. They have been used traditionally with non-sweetened chocolate as well. Learn the history of mole and its Hispanic roots, then make two mole dishes from scratch. Another 4 very distinct dishes will be available for sampling for the vegetarian as well as the omnivore! DBG members $45, non-members $55 (We hope to sponsor some mole workshops in Tucson with fresh mole queen Amy Schwemm of Mano y Metate in upcoming months so email and stay tuned for more info.) Click here for Schedule and Registration Details.

		Holiday Empanadita Workshops at Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ Wednesday, Nov 12, 2008, 2-5 pm or Thursday, Nov 13, 2008, 9-12 am Enjoy creating festive delights with a harvest of our native Tohono O'odham "pumpkins" — the giant hard-shelled squashes grown in traditional ak chin gardens. They are glorious orange, full of beta carotenes and great flavor. We will cook them with spices and use them as fillings for newly-shaped empanada turnovers, bedecked for the holidays. DBG members $60, non-members $75 Click here for Schedule and Registration Details or call 480.481.8146.

		Baboquivari Mountain Herbal Retreat—a desert herbal intensive workshop in beautiful Brown Canyon, Arizona Borderlands. Monday-Friday, April 6-10, 2008. For details go to www.botanicalmedicine.org/conferences/index.htm or call 520.907.9471.

		Desert Food Workshops, sponsored by Pima County Parks and Recreation Dept. at Agua Caliente Park and Feliz Paseos Park. Saturday, April 25, 2009, 9 am-noon at Agua Caliente Park (east side Tucson) or Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 9 am-noon at Paseo Feliz Park (west side Tucson) Cholla cactus buds are highly nutritious—a tasty gift of the desert. Learn how to harvest, carefully de-spine and prepare them traditionally, and enjoy them from inside! Click here for Schedule and Registration Details.

		Sonoran Herbal Institute Winter-Spring 2009 Schedule of Classes For more information, call 520.907.9471 or email info@flordemayoarts.com.

		Native Food Workshops in Southeastern Arizona, sponsored by Baja Arizona Sustainable Agriculture Check www.BajaAz.org or call 520.378.2973 for event schedule.

		United Plant Savers National Conference, at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ. Saturday, October 17, 2009. Check www.unitedplantsavers.org or call 520.907.9471 or 802.476.6467.