Our Nonprofit Mission

Native Seeds/SEARCH conserves, distributes and documents the adapted and diverse varieties of agricultural seeds, their wild relatives and the role these seeds play in cultures of the American Southwest and northwest Mexico. We promote the use of these ancient crops and their wild relatives by gathering, safeguarding, and distributing their seeds to farming and gardening communities. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Tucson, Arizona.

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September Seed School in Tucson

Seed School returns to Tucson in September 2013 for another 6-day session at the NS/S Conservation Center. With more than 280 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

Glass Gem Corn Now Available

The wait is over! Glass Gem, one of the world's most beautiful corn varieties, is now on sale to the general public through our online store. Sorry, no phone or mail orders will be accepted. One packet of seed per customer please. Only a limited amount will be available. If you live in the Tucson area, we also have Glass Gem available at our local retail store located at 3061 North Campbell Avenue.

News from the Conservation Farm: Apprentice Updates

The News from the Conservation Farm Blog posts are written by the 2013 farm apprentices Danielle, Matt, Pablo, Travis, and Francesca.

Since early April, the Native Seed/SEARCH Conservation Farm has been home to a new team of awesome apprentices. Through this blog, we will bring you regular updates of our activities on the farm, and share our photos, recipes and ideas.

Straw Bale Cottage Workshops

Enhance your skills in sustainability and self-reliance by learning to build your own straw bale cottage or studio in this hands-on workshop series. Native Seeds/SEARCH and world-renowned natural builders Bill and Athena Steen of the Canelo Project present a rare opportunity to construct a beautiful, sustainable straw bale house from start to finish.

Chaco Culture Archeology Tour

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.

Seed Saving Talks at Whole Foods

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

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

NS/S Seed Bank and Farm Tours

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.