[Plsugs] Call for mesquite bean harvest volunteers

[Tanya Quist]

If you think students in your program might be interested in this service
activity - please forward accordingly. 

My name is Jess Thompson, and I am the new Sustainable Food Production
Intern with UA's Office of Sustainability.  I am looking for volunteers for
an exciting new project the Office of Sustainability is working on this
summer.

 As many who live in the desert know, our native plants are both beautiful
and resilient.  What some may not know is that they can also produce tasty
and nutritious food.  Mesquite trees produce edible, highly nutritious seed
pods that can be ground into flour.  This flour can be used in gluten-free
baking, and its rich, nutty flavor makes for delicious cakes, cookies, and
breads. 

 Since mesquite trees have been planted all over campus for their natural
beauty and drought-resistance, the Office of Sustainability thought, "Why
not harvest from them? It will introduce a source of local,
sustainably-produced food on campus, as well as eliminate a landscaping
headache by keeping the beans from littering the ground." And so that is
what we're doing. 

We will begin hosting harvest days in early July, and continue through
mid-to-late August, depending on when the beans start to fall.  We will need
plenty of volunteers to come out and help!  You'll learn all about native
mesquites and their benefits, as well as safe harvest techniques you can use
in your own neighborhood.  

 If you would like to volunteer or want more information, please contact me
at jthompso at email.arizona.edu, or by calling 520-626-1756.  

 Thank you so much! 

-- 
Jess Thompson
Sustainable Food Production Intern
UA Office of Sustainability
PO Box 210182
The University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ, 85721-0182
(520) 621-1756 <tel:%28520%29%20621-1756> 
jthompso at email.arizona.edu
www.sustainability.arizona.edu

 

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