We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Zamecnik and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandra, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is an indicator of integrity, especially in decision making. I know that I am taking a risk when I feel uncomfortable or a little scared, I feel vulnerable, or I am giving something up. I have taken risks in my career by leaving a comfortable job and taking on challenges and forcing myself to pursue a project, or a speaking engagement or be the only woman in a space. As a mother, I have felt the effects of my decisions acutely as it has sometimes meant not being present during special moments. However, I am also proud to show my kids that I can have a career and I am a loving mother.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am the Executive Director of Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S), a non-profit seed conservation organization in Tucson, AZ that preserves and shares heirloom, traditional and regional seeds.

NS/S stewards a collection of seeds from the US Southwest and northwest Mexico by preserving them in a seedbank, continually growing them out and distributing them through seed programs and an online store. We work with Indigenous communities from the region who have historical and cultural relationships to these seeds and who grew them for generations prior to them being donated to our seedbank. Our work is also supported by customers, volunteers, members and donors.

I have more than 15 years of experience working in international development in Latin America managing projects to support natural resources management and conservation at a landscape scale and/or with communities at a local level. This work (and my degrees) developed my project management skills and ability work work with different groups at different levels. These experiences and skills make it possible for me to successfully manage an organization like Native Seeds/SEARCH.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many fun gardens to visit and ways to learn about arid-adapted gardening and the history of food in Tucson. I am going to focus on the West and South sides of Tucson because that’s where I live and frequent. I would start by getting coffee from Presta and a glazed donut from La Estrella Bakery (or a breakfast taco from Seis) at Mercado San Agustin.

Then head to Mission Garden, a living agricultural museum of the Sonoran Desert. Walk around and take in the beautiful gardens and heritage fruit trees while learning about different cultures who have farmed in the region over the centuries.

Go to la Chaiteria for lunch, (if you need some additional caffeine order the cardamom latte or mesquite latte), and eat any of their delicious meals (vegan options abound). Take a hike on Tumamoc Hill (check out their new demonstration garden and listen to their guided tour through an app with the U of Arizona), Painted Hills Trail loop or Star Pass and Yetman Trail Loop.
Eat dinner at Anello, an amazing, cozy pizzeria that uses seasonal and local vegetables and has spectacular desserts and focaccia with ricotta and homemade spicy jam.

Other places to visit and shop include the San Xavier Co-op store, Galeria Mitotera, Cream and MSA-Annex with their assortment of local shops, food options and nearby farmers markets on Thursdays.

Eat at Barista del Barrio, Time Market, 5 Points, Boca Tacos, Ceres, Rollies and La Indita. Volunteer at one of the community gardens or join a service day to learn about the community and the issues that matter to Tucsonans. Organizations include Flowers & Bullets, Mission Garden, Native Seeds/SEARCH, Tohono Chul, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Community Gardens of Tucson and Barrio Restoration. Drink and experience nightlife at Bar Crisol, Hotel Congress, Saint Charles Tavern, Che’s Lounge and Owls Club.

You can buy NS/S seeds at Time Market, Bar Crisol or Spadefoot or at the Rillito Farmer’s Market.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I think my mother influenced my work ethic and the path I have taken. She is Argentinian and grew up wanting to travel so she always encouraged me to explore other countries and cultures. She is also someone that took incredible risk in her career, changed courses and kept learning new things.

Tucson and the Southwest have a vibrant gardening and farming history that is rooted in the Indigenos people of this region and, as a result, today is one of the centers of agrobiodiversity of this continent. If it weren’t for this rich history and the tradition of trading and passing seeds down from generation to generation, NS/S would not exist today.

Website: https://www.nativeseeds.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nativeseedssearch/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/native-seeds-search/mycompany/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NativeSeedsSRCH

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NativeSeedsSEARCH/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NativeSeedsSEARCH

Image Credits
All photos are courtesy of Native Seeds/SEARCH

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.