“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 first day of Spring. 

"In March of 1996 we got our first order of 1,200 tiny trees and shrubs in 10 inch “cones.” Today, some of those trees are nearly 100 feet tall and sections of these 11 acres are protected by forest canopy. Every year we continue to plant more. We look forward to a time when the whole place is a mature forest. This March, we have 850 more little cones full of life heading our way, 215 for us and the rest for other folks in the community." -Stef and Samira

During the day, participants will learn and practice key steps for preparing, transplanting, and establishing healthy trees. Participants will begin by making a soil mix for transplanting into tree pots, then work together to transplant seedlings into pots and inoculate them with Johnson-Su compost. From there, move into transplanting small trees into the ground (and possibly a few larger ones as time allows), and finish by mulching to support moisture retention and long-term tree health. Discussion on how drip irrigation systems can be built and used to support these plantings will also be touched on. During this workshop lunch will be provided midway for all participants. 

After the workshop, everyone is invited to stay for a vegan potluck supper, a fire, singing and playing music to celebrate life, trees and the Spring Equinox with other local community members. 

A catered lunch will be provided, thanks to the Cruces Creatives Seeding Regenerative Agriculture program. 

Date: Saturday March 21, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location: Bear Creek Farms, Gila, NM (Location will be provided when registered) 

General Agenda: 

10 AM - 10:30 AM  Introductions

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM  Making soil mix

11:15 AM - 12:30 PM  Transplanting trees from 10” x 1.25” cones into 4x4x14” pots

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM  Catered vegan lunch

1:30 PM - 4:00 PM  Transplanting trees into the ground, establishing drip systems and mulching

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM  Cleanup and Evaluations

4:30 - After celebration

This is a free field day, but participation is capped at 20 people. To save your spot, please preregister.