Update from the Executive Director
By Julie Robinson, Executive Director
Greetings Mission Garden Friends!
At the Garden this afternoon, we are watching the last storm clouds of an unusually long monsoon season gather on the horizon, and with relief, also feeling the slightly cooler temperatures of fall settling in.
Seasonal changes are never lost on gardeners, but many visitors to Tucson and even longtime residents, are fascinated to learn that the Sonoran Desert has not four, but actually five seasons: dry summer, wet summer, autumn, winter, and spring. At Mission Garden we consult and rely upon the traditional Tohono O’odham calendar for planting and harvesting. Based on meteorological observations and traditional practices, this calendar also provides important seasonal markers for gathering native plant foods such as saguaro fruit and mesquite pods. As desert harvesters and gardeners, we are grateful to be able to benefit from the ancient agricultural wisdom of the O’odham people which has been passed down through generations.
Each and every planting and harvesting season at the Garden always involves a corps of volunteers. It’s entirely appropriate then, that we dedicate a quarterly newsletter just to them! By sharing a few of their stories, we want to highlight the important work this dedicated community provides in terms of support for planting, weeding, harvesting, processing, seed saving and tending the Garden’s soil. Volunteer hands are essential to the care of this precious four-acre agricultural site at Tucson’s birthplace.
In this issue, AmeriCorps volunteer, Lisa Grenier offers a reflection about the San Ysidro Festival; Stephanie Daniels, Sidney Engs, and Kim Steverson, elaborate on the importance of the Africa in the Americas Garden; and our budding partnership with the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center’s Green Thumbs is highlighted. Be sure to also check out volunteer Karen Howe’s interview with Assistant Gardener and Cultural Outreach Liaison, Maegan Lopez as she talks about her pilot project, the Tohono O’odham Healthy Food Challenge.
We certainly rely on many hands to help the garden grow, but there are also lots of other ways to participate as a Garden volunteer. Community Outreach Coordinator, Kendall Kroesen shares examples of other types of skills and support beyond gardening that we need to help keep operations running smoothly.
Because it is autumn and that means there’s an abundance of squash in gardens and markets, don’t forget to check out the delicious Magdalena Big Cheese Casserole recipe offered by Stephanie Daniels. If you were able to join us for the Inauguration of Africa in the America’s Garden, you may have been fortunate to get a taste before it quickly disappeared.
Lastly, we also have a brand new feature in this edition, check out the Guess to Win a Prize Contest and you might be the lucky winner of a Mission Garden t-shirt sporting our beautiful new squash blossom inspired logo.
We hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter celebrating Mission Garden’s Community of Volunteers. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit us soon to enjoy the fall colors and change in seasons!
With appreciation,
Julie Robinson, PhD
Executive Director