Learn and Explore at Foods of the Americas
This annual exhibit showcases the cornucopia of food crops that originated in the Americas thousands of years ago. It runs through Sunday October 18, 10am–4pm daily at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr, Berkeley. Don’t miss the following special events that are part of this exhibition:
Info and registration for all events: here
Thursday October 8, 1–2:30pm
Horticulturist Ken Bates leads a tour of the Crops of the World Collection.
Free with Garden Admission.
Saturday October 10, 10am–noon
At Growing Food in the Bay Area’s Secret Season, Bay Area vegetable garden guru Pam Peirce talks about how to get the most from your garden during the January through March period, which is one of the best growing seasons in the Bay Area. Topics include: how to select varieties for this time of year, when and how to start them, how to enjoy winter’s wild edibles, and what crops are best for winter-into-spring container gardens.
Fee: $25/$20.
Saturday October 17, 5:30–8pm
Celebrate the UC Botanical Garden’s 125th Anniversary at their Fall Harvest Dinner with cocktails by St. George Spirits, lovely food from local purveyors, music, a small silent auction, and chocolate! All proceeds benefit the UC Botanical Garden’s education programs.
Tickets: $125/person.
Sunday October 18, 10am–4pm
At Colors of the Americas, textile scholar Yoshiko Wada leads a workshop in natural dyeing with cochineal, a deep-red substance that comes from the tiny scale insects that live on opuntia cacti. You’ll learn how to produce a range of hues from cochineal by using a variety of mordants. Fee: $125/$100.
Thursday October 22, 10am–4pm
Artist and educator Catherine Watters guides participants to successfully observe, draw, and paint luscious fall fruits such as apples, pears, figs, and persimmons.
Fee: $90/ $85.
Saturday October 24, 10am–noon
Book release party for The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center Cookbook: Fresh-from-the-Garden Recipes for Gatherings Large and Small. Meet author Olivia Rathbone. Free with garden admission.
Read Kristina Sepetys’ review of this beautifully photographed collection of vegetarian recipes and stories.
