Dr. Stephen Wooding, Expedition to Amazonia: Exploring Yuca, and Ancient Indigenous Crop – The Local Grape

By david

Events, Science on Tap

Dr. Stephen Wooding, Expedition to Amazonia: Exploring Yuca, and Ancient Indigenous Crop

09 Mar

The Local Grape presents, Science on Tap. In partnership with the UC Cooperative Extension, University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources Featuring, Dr. Stephen Wooding Associate Professor, UC Merced Expedition to Amazonia: Exploring Yuca, and Ancient Indigenous Crop Nearly every plant we eat is domesticated. Rice, corn, wheat, soy, and sugar fill our plates. But how did they get there? The answer begins 10,000 years ago. On Monday, join us on a journey to the Amazon River, where Anthropologist Dr. Stephen Wooding is exploring the domestication of yuca. Yuca, a starchy root, is a focal point of life for indigenous peoples throughout the Amazon basin, the place of its birth. It is grown in the old ways, planted and tended by hand, sifted and pressed using palm basketry, and cooked in handmade pots. Visiting villages, talking with growers, and returning to the laboratory, Dr. Wooding is unearthing the mystery of this unassuming plant. March 9th, 2026 5:30 pm Free Admission The Local Grape 5021 CA-140 Mariposa, CA 95338 Concessions: Cheese boards and paninis will be available for purchase during the event from The Local Grape! Mission: Science on Tap brings regional scientists together with Mariposa community members to share the joy and urgency of recent discoveries— from the outermost reaches of space and time to the everyday laboratory in our backyards.