“Unique, innovative and necessary! Seed School fills in a gaping hole in the sustainable agriculture landscape.”
— Toby Hemenway, Author of Gaia’s Garden

Native Seeds/SEARCH's flagship educational course in "all things seeds" have many exciting sessions scheduled in 2013. With graduates from throughout the Southwest and as far away as Mexico City and Norway, this groundbreaking program is helping build resilient seed-saving communities around the world. Find out more about these upcoming Seed School sessions:

Seed School – May 19-24, 2013
Location: National session, TBA

Seed School – September 8-13, 2013
Location: NS/S Conservation Center in Tucson, Arizona

Seed School – October 27 - November 1, 2013
Location: National session, TBA

Seed School returns to Tucson in September 2013 for another 6-day session at the NS/S Conservation Center. With more than 180 graduates from around the world, the word is spreading about this groundbreaking course. Sign up today and reserve your space for the first-of-its-kind educational program in "all things seeds."

Facilitated by Bill McDorman, Executive Director of Native Seeds/SEARCH and Joy Hought, MSc.

Course Details

September 8–13, 2013
NS/S Conservation Center
3584 E. River Rd.
Tucson, AZ

As awareness grows around issues of food and sustainability, people everywhere are waking up to the vital importance of seeds. Now more than ever, we need small, bioregional seed operations to replace the “one-size-fits-all” industrial seed system. To answer this need, Native Seeds/SEARCH has created Seed School.

Think “Seeds First”

Seed School is a groundbreaking 6-day course designed to help participants create new regional and sustainable seed production and distribution systems. Students walk away from this innovative educational program with the knowledge and inspiration to start their own heirloom seed company, organize a community seed-lending library, and train others in the art and practice of seed saving. Seed School is for gardeners, farmers, seed savers, entrepreneurs, NGOs, policymakers and anyone interested in turning the tide on the industrialization of our food and agriculture.

Join Native Seeds/SEARCH for an engaging discussion featuring NS/S co-founder Dr. Gary Nabhan and author of Revolution on the Range, Courtney White. Gary will be debuting his new book Growing Food in a Hotter, Drier Climate. Copies of both books be available for purchase. Moderated by NS/S Executive Director Bill McDorman.

Thursday, June 6
6 - 8 pm
Free

Location:
NS/S Conservation Center
3584 E. River Road, just east of the Alvernon intersection opposite the Waldorf school. Look for our marquee sign.

Rejoin the Ritual: Seed Saving

Join NS/S in June at Whole Foods Market locations in Tucson and Phoenix for these FREE informative talks on the ancient ritual of seed saving. At the beginning of the last century, everyone saved their own seeds. What turn of events led us to believe we can't and shouldn't save seeds from our own gardens? Native Seeds/SEARCH shares the fascinating journey of how we got here and what we can do to rejoin the ritual.

Chandler - Thursday, June 6 @ 2 pm
Tucson-Speedway - Saturday, June 8 @ 10 am
Tucson-River Road - Tuesday, June 11 @ 10 am
Paradise Valley - Wednesday, June 12 @ 6:30 pm
Tempe - Thursday, June 13 @ 6 pm
Scottsdale - Thursday, June 20 @ 6:30 pm

Please RSVP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Explore the History and Culture of Chaco Canyon with Archelologist Gwinn Vivian and NS/S
October 10 – 15, 2013

Join us for an exceptional 6-day journey into the captivating culture of Chaco Canyon hosted by Piet and Mary Van de Mark of Baja’s Frontier Tours and guided by second-generation Chaco archeologist Gwinn Vivian.

Advance registration is now required for all tours. Please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve a space.

Ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look into Native Seeds/SEARCH? We are pleased to offer public tours of our Conservation Center and Conservation Farm!

All tours are one hour long. The suggested donation is $10, or free for NS/S members. Cash or check only, please -- no credit cards.

Conservation Farm tours take place on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, and Conservation Center tours take place on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month. Both tours begin at 10 am.

"Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage" with Vanessa Bechtol, Executive Director, Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance

Monday, June 17, 2013
6 - 8 pm

The Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance preserves and advances the region’s living heritage so that landscapes, sites, livelihoods, traditions, values, and stories can stimulate our economy and build community. Vanessa will give us an update on the National Heritage Area and how it will support heritage food initiatives. She will also share plans for the 3rd-annual Santa Cruz Harvest Dinner this fall.