The Next Generation of Sonoran Desert Researchers (N-Gen) and the Agave Heritage Festival Lifetime Career Award honors those whose work is a cornerstone in understanding agave’s cultural and ecological significance, shaping the agave world we love today.

This year, we recognize Paul and Suzy Fish's pioneering research on ancient agave cultivation and its role in the Sonoran Desert’s rich history. Through decades of archaeological and ecological work, they have uncovered how traditional farming practices shaped the landscape and its thriving communities. In their talk, Paul and Suzy will reveal hidden landscapes and share how ancient farmers used to grow agave in the Tucson basin.