Agave Talks and Tastings

Join us for Agave Talks and Tastings on Sat. April 12, from 11am to 4pm at Club Congress, Hotel Congress (311 East Congress Street).

Explore the cultural, agricultural, and market potential of agave in this interactive, drop-in series. Featuring expert-led panels, mezcal tastings from our amazing partners Raices Imports and Origen Raíz del Espíritu and sponsor showcases, this session highlights sustainable agriculture, cross-border collaboration, and creative innovations shaping the future of agave.

Schedule:

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Beyond Distillates: Agave’s Legacy in Art, Food, and Fiber

Ryan Kashanipour (University of Arizona) as moderator
Angelica Afanador Pujol (Arizona State University) 
Valeria Canedo (Polinizador Social para la Conservación y Empoderamiento Rural)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Rooted Across Borders: Sustainable Agave Cultivation

Leonela Baez (Centro de Colaboración para la Ciencia y Cultura) as moderator
Rachel Burke (Bat Conservation International)
Francesca Claverie (Borderlands Restoration Network)
Julie Figueras (The Lost Explorer)

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Partner Tabling and Tasting Break

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: From the Ground Up: Community Building for Agave Collaboration

Francisco Terrazas (Raices Imports, Tequila Interchange Project) as moderator
Misty Kalkofen (Siembra Spirits, Liquid Productions) 
Niki Nakazawa (Neta Spirits)
Bildo Saravia (Origen Raiz Del Espiritu)

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Living Landscapes: Agave Conservation for Ecological and Desert Resilience

Caitlyn Hall (Agave Heritage Festival, Next Generation of Sonoran Desert Researchers) as moderator
Marsella Macias (University of New Mexico, Chelenzo Farms) 
Chava Rosales Trejo (Tequila Cascahuin)
Randy Young (La Tierra del Jaguar)

To see the full schedule for the panels on April 12th and to RSVP, click here.
 

To learn more about all AHF events, click here.