When Chef Molly Beverly partnered with us to grow Prescott Heirloom Tomatoes last summer, she also became this tomato’s newest advocate and researcher. And in doing so, she brought us an entirely new understanding of this regional treasure. Molly lives and gardens in Chino Valley AZ, just north of Prescott, and is also the chair of Slow Food Prescott.  When she learned NS/S seed stocks were low for this variety, she wanted to use her massive garden to grow more seed, with the ulterior motive of making this variety widely available in Prescott once again.  And she did, handing out to ..read more

Skeg taṣ, The past year has been one of many trials and tribulations. We collectively have lost family, friends and co-workers, from the youth to the elders of our communities. Storefronts have closed and access to things we take for granted has been limited. Our water supply is also a growing concern as the words and warnings of our elders are coming to fruition. I want to first relay my personal condolences to those of you whom have lost someone -- my heart is with you. I must also thank you all, for your continued support during these times and congratulate you on your perseverance.   ..read more

It was the beauty of the seeds, she always says, that sparked her resolve to safeguard the living heritage of the Southwest. Mahina Drees has been at the root of NS/S since 1983 when she co-founded the organization with Barney Burns, Karen Reichhardt and Gary Nabhan. During this time she served as Executive Director for 11 years, and a board member for 27. “Mahina Drees has lived many lives, but she deserves more credit than anyone for guiding the keel of Native Seeds/SEARCH for more years than any other navigator” stated Gary Nabhan.  Mahina’s journey took her from Toledo, Ohio, where ..read more

Thank you to everyone who donated to the 2021 Adop-A-Crop fundraiser. Here's an update on how all of the crops are doing! Atlixco Quelite: The durability of this lamb’s quarters relative has been incredible to watch. Before July brought long-awaited rain to the Sonoran Desert, the crops in the Conservation Center grow-out gardens first had to endure weeks of June temperatures that reached 117°F. These quelites have grown steadily through the near-record-high temperatures as well as the record rainfall that followed close behind. The plants—some over seven feet tall—are still green, but we ..read more

It used to be that families stewarded their own seeds, saving and selecting from year to year.  If you have rural roots, you probably wouldn’t have to go back more than a few generations to find this practice in your own family. But things have changed.  Since the 1950’s the seed trade has become big business, and over time most gardeners have become seed consumers rather than seed savers. That’s good for business. But Native Seeds/SEARCH is not a seed-selling business, it is a non-profit with the mission of conserving endangered aridland seeds.   We make seeds available to ..read more

We would like to honor Angelo Joaquin Jr., a friend of Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S), who passed away earlier this year. Angelo, of the Coyote Clan of the Tohono O’odham Nation, became a board member in 1990, and part of the staff as the Native American Outreach Coordinator and Diabetes Project Director in 1992 and led the organization as Executive Director from 1995 to 2000. After his tenure with NS/S, he remained a strong supporter and donor.  Angelo had a holistic approach to managing the NS/S seed collection, valuing the seeds equally for both their scientific and cultural attributes. H ..read more

by Karen Reichhardt Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S) is honored to celebrate the life of an extraordinary woman and seedkeeper during this year’s Women’s History Month. Laura Kerman (1895-1999), a Tohono O’odham woman from Topawa, Arizona, is recognized as an influential resource and inspiration during the founding and early years of our organization. Some of the first seeds in the seedbank were donated by Laura and her family. With their help we were able to locate seeds disappearing due to decline in farming. She was a beloved tribal elder who shared her knowledge and culture.  Laura often ..read more

by Joel Johnson, Seed Production Technician After several weeks in the upper 70s, a late January snow on the Santa Catalinas reminded us that we really did have a winter! Now we’re back to blue skies and spring sprouts. Lots of changes are taking place in the Conservation Center grow-out gardens—new varieties are being regenerated, new building projects are going up, and new faces are helping us make it all happen. Beans Many of our beds are filled with beans or pulse crops. This winter, we’re growing two garbanzos—a larger planting of Garbanzo Del Norte and a smaller regeneration of Mayo Wi ..read more

The thermometer is still dancing between 99 and 100 as I write in mid-October, but I’m branding this our “end of summer” update in hopes that maybe wishing will make it so.   Those of you Sonoran Desert dwellers know that calling this summer a challenging growing season is an understatement. Native Seeds’ low-desert grow-out site—our Tucson Conservation Center—weathered the 2nd driest monsoon season in Tucson’s history, and the cumulatively hottest monsoon season Tucson has ever seen. Add to that a new city record for the most triple-digit days in a single year, and you have a recipe for ..read more

by Sheryl Joy, Collections Curator In the Greater Southwest, El Dia de San Juan (June 24) has long been celebrated as the time of the coming of the summer rains.  A time to celebrate the end of the dry-heat, to rejoice in the crack of lightning, the crash of thunder and the rush of rain that mean it is time to plant.  A time to remember that even if the rain clouds are not yet building in the south, they soon will come to quench the land ... and shortly after the corn, squash and bean plants will sprout and make food for the people.   The monsoon rains were never very predi ..read more