<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>If you think students in your program might be interested in this service activity – please forward accordingly. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> 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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> 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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> If you would like to volunteer or want more information, please contact me at <a href="mailto:jthompso@email.arizona.edu" target="_blank">jthompso@email.arizona.edu</a>, or by calling <a href="tel:520-626-1756" target="_blank">520-626-1756</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> Thank you so much! <br clear=all><br>-- <br>Jess Thompson<br>Sustainable Food Production Intern<br>UA Office of Sustainability<br>PO Box 210182<br>The University of Arizona<br>Tucson, AZ, 85721-0182<br><a href="tel:%28520%29%20621-1756" target="_blank">(520) 621-1756</a><br><a href="mailto:jthompso@email.arizona.edu" target="_blank">jthompso@email.arizona.edu</a><br><a href="http://www.sustainability.arizona.edu" target="_blank">www.sustainability.arizona.edu</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>