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| Joseph Simcox Joseph Simcox, “The Botanical Explorer” is a seasoned ethnobotanist who has an intrinsic fascination with the inherent wonders in nature. He grew up in an ambiance where his parents fostered his inquisitive disposition from a very early age. His insatiable quest for tracking down rare plants and revitalizing languishing species keeps him searching by way of land, sea and sky. Occasionally humbled by the sheer deadliness of some, he has been poisoned, blistered and scarred by their toxicities. When he is not travelling, he continues to study, enchanted by the myriad of untold secrets veiled within nature. In awe of the delicate beauty and intricacies within the anatomy of plants. Joseph’s lively and exuberant presence captivates audiences wherever he goes. His passion is infectious. He has logged millions of miles over the last several decades, fortuitous enough to discover several species of plants new to science… still waiting to be named. Joseph is co-founder of The Rare Vegetable Seed Consortium, founder of the Gardens Across America Project, and leader of botanical expeditions that span the globe. Joseph speaks at dozens of conferences all over the world including the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Corporation in Shanhua, Taiwan; the Central Tuber Research Center in Bhubaneswar, India; the California Rare Fruit Growers annual Festival of Fruit Conference, and the Permaculture Voices Conference. He is a guest lecturer at universities including Harvard in Boston, Massachusetts. Joseph’s work represents history in the making as he changes the way the world perceives botanical biodiversity with the intention of resurrecting endangered plant species. His latest expedition in January to the Amazon was in search of rare fruits and vegetables native to the Peruvian rainforest. His present Holy Grail, one plant he yearns to track down, is a Hydnora africana with ripe fruit. This would bring Joseph momentary respite after ten years of searching. Until then, his thirst perseveres and quest continues. “A Pan Global Survey of Xerophytic Fruit and Food Bearing Plants Of The World’s Arid And Desert Regions.” Gleaning from his photographic archives encompassing almost 200,000 photos, Joseph Simcox presents an astounding array of diverse xerophytic fruit/food bearing plants from around the world. He will examine fruits and food bearing plants in-situ in regions ranging from the American Southwest to the deserts of Oman and Namibia. His objective? To share with attendees a glimpse of nature waiting to be discovered and tended. Ostensibly Joseph’s work establishes the grave misconceptions that we presently have about food security on the planet. Also, it shows why the future should be one where man works closely with nature by promoting agriculture that first considers the plants that are properly adapted to each respective climate. Joseph contends that man has a huge opportunity before him to change not only the course of history but also to live harmoniously and richly with nature regardless of the local ecology. |