At this free, hands-on workshop, learn how to 1) make durable, roughly 190 ft2 shade and greenhouse structures using cattle fence panels and other inexpensive materials, 2) how to effectively spread hay bales and seeds to add mulch and cover crops, and 3) how to use yard waste and...

In this free, hands-on workshop, learn about plant/microbe symbioses and interactions, and learn how to cultivate beneficial microbes in freeze-resistant Johnson-Su composting bioreactors! General Agenda: 1:00-1:30 p.m.: Introductions 1:30-2:00 p.m.: Introduction to plant-microbe symbioses and Johnson-Su composting bioreactors 2:00-5:30: Bioreactor filling 5:30-6:00 p.m.: Q&A After the field day, there will...

At this free hands on field day, participants will learn a model for adding a drought-tolerant privacy hedge that also provides food. Through demonstration followed by hands-on practice, participants will learn · How to propagate mulberry trees by cutting and pomegranates/asparagus from seed · Proper planting technique for trees (with Palo Verde...

      Silvopasture is the practice of incorporating trees and shrubs into animal grazing pasture. At Rio Nutrias, the goal is to provide pasture for animals between beneficial tree and shrub lines, create a food forest, and protect the soil from wind and heat. By stacking ecological functions the whole...

At this hands-on field day, participants will learn how to improve water retention and soil health by working with the natural contours of the land. Through demonstration and hands-on practice, we will: Follow the land’s contour to create mulched pathways that slow down and capture water, helping to sustain existing plants...

At this free field day, get hands on practice with simple and effective ways to create biochar! Biochar—a naturally occurring nanotechnology—supports beneficial soil microbes, enhances soil fertility, and increases water retention, making it a valuable tool for sustainable gardening and farming. This field day is not just about learning—it’s about...

Over the course of the May workshop we will focus on techniques of growing erosion control structures under the guidance of Starrlight Augustine and Josh Weybright. We will cover topics of establishing native grass hedges and native native diverse pollinator hedgerows on agricultural land. Participants will get hands on practice planting,...

Join us for this free workshop and Field Day as we continue caring for the land together. In this session, we’ll focus on building healthy soil and preparing the site for long-term growth. Activities include making and applying mulch using local materials and hay bales, and planting fruit trees to...

  Join us for a free hands-on field day as we work together to help finish building an earthbag greenhouse! We will be filling and stacking earthbags, learning the basics of natural building techniques, and discussing how earthbag structures can support sustainable, resilient growing spaces in the Southwest desert. We...

Join us for a free hands-on field day as we return to the site of our water harvesting workshop to continue building a more resilient desert landscape! This time, we’ll be planting prickly pear (nopales) and installing protective netting to help young plants thrive as they establish. Participants will: Learn...

Join us for a free Soil Health Field Day as we continue our work at Parque de Alegría in Doña Ana! Together with DAVA (Doña Ana Village Association), we’ve been caring for the land at Parque de Alegría, and this field day will continue that effort. We’ll focus on building healthy soil and supporting...

Join us for a free hands-on field day at Bodhi Farms with Micki, who will guide participants through the organic cultivation of wildflowers and lavender. You’ll learn how to prepare the soil, plant, care for, and harvest these beautiful and fragrant plants. This workshop is perfect for anyone interested in...

Join us for a hands-on field day at Chicken Hawk Farms all about hot composting! We’ll be returning to the same site where we previously worked together on the earthbag construction around the water tank. This time, participants will learn how to turn everyday organic materials into rich, living soil in...

At this Field Day, you’ll learn how to build and fill a Johnson-Su Bioreactor—a low-maintenance, no-turn composting system designed by Dr. David Johnson and Hui-Chun Su. It’s ideal for dry climates, using up to six times less water than traditional composting and requiring no tractor or heavy equipment. The resulting...

This Field Day continues our series about a Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) funded project investigating use of Giant Sacaton, Sporobolus wrightii, in windbreaks on farms and ranches. Deep-rooted and fast growing, Giant Sacaton is an impressive grass native to the arid Southwest, standing up to 8 feet tall and 4...

Join us for a free, hands-on field day at Bodhi Farms with Micki! At this field day, Micki will share how she starts her plants using soil blocking methods, a low-waste, soil-healthy approach to seed starting that supports strong root development and healthy transplants. Participants will learn the basics of soil...

Join us for a free Soil Health Field Day at Parque de Alegría in Doña Ana! Together with DAVA (Doña Ana Village Association), we’ll continue caring for the land at Parque de Alegría with a focus on improving soil health in existing planting areas. This field day will center on hands-on...

Join us for a free hands-on workshop where we’ll design and build pollinator habitats using wood logs and other natural materials. Together, we’ll create simple, functional shelters that support native bees and other beneficial insects that play a vital role in our local ecosystems. We’ll talk about why habitat loss is one...

  “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” —Chinese Proverb Join us for a free, hands-on field day focused on tree planting and long-term tree care at Bear Creek Farms with Stef and Samira! This event will take place on the...

Come learn how to grow lavender and other plants in our unique caliche soil! Join us for a hands-on field day where we will be prepping lavender beds using the trench method! Participants will get practical experience preparing trenches and learning the techniques that make this method successful. The trenches will already be dug...

After working together to build this Superadobe (earthbag) wall from the ground up, we’re now moving into the next phase—plastering. Join us for a hands-on workshop where we’ll bring the wall to life with natural finishes while learning the fundamentals of earthen building. Join us for a hands-on introduction to...

Join us for a hands-on field day exploring practical strategies for water-smart agriculture in the Southwest. This workshop will combine presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on planting to show how thoughtful design and efficient irrigation can support resilient growing systems in a dry climate. We’ll start with a tour and overview of...

Join us for a free, hands-on biochar field day where you’ll learn simple, low-tech ways to make biochar and explore how it supports healthy soils by improving fertility, water retention, and beneficial microbial life.  We will be gathering dead creosote and managing this sometimes invasive native plant by turning it into biochar. ...