Yes that is true, Tucson is a good place to come and enjoy the sun and find wonderful food to eat both for your health, preserving history, and enjoying the cuisine.

Leading the charge in this delicious endeavor is Jonathan Mabry, the Executive Director of the Tucson City of Gastronomy, a non-profit organization with a mission to grow a sustainable desert community by supporting its creative food cultures. This is more than just great restaurants. The organization’s goals include celebrating and preserving the region's rich agricultural history, to support local food businesses, and to foster a food system that is environmentally and economically resilient.

The impact has been tangible and Tucson has seen a flourishing of its food scene. The non-profit has established a certification programs "Resilience Kitchen" which empower the community through heritage foodways, and their annual Pueblos del Maíz festival generates millions of dollars in economic impact for the city. This isn't just about food, it's about identity, sustainability, and building a thriving community from the ground up.

So, get ready to dig in as we explore how Jonathan Mabry and the Tucson City of Gastronomy are proving that food can be a powerful force for change.

On this episode of The Cowboy-Up Podcast, Russell and Steven sit down with Greg Watson. Greg is a leading voice in Tucson where entrepreneurship and Artificial Intelligence connect. Greg guides business leaders, students and anyone who wants to learn more about A. I. technology.

Greg has been at the forefront of integrating A. I. into practical business education and is a familiar face at Pima Community College and the University of Arizona. He is best known as someone who presents complex technology in plain english.

Between his engaging style and free online portal professorwatson.com, he is dedicated to equipping students and entrepreneurs with the A. I. knowledge they need today to thrive in tomorrow’s business landscape. Stay tuned as we delve deeper with an expert shaping the future of A. I. in Southern Arizona.

Jim Campbell is the Executive Director at the National Ranching Heritage Center. The Heritage Center is your one stop shop to experience real ranches, real stories and real heritage on the campus of Texas Tech University.

Here you can roam more than 19 acres of "the Ranch" and discover over 200 years of ranching history in the NRHC historical park. Immerse yourself in the culture, values, and authenticity that define ranching as you examine professionally-curated exhibits in the main museum. Contemporary ranching issues and heritage issues are addressed and Jim reminds all of us that it’s a good time to be a cowboy!

Jim was raised as a cowboy in Hereford, Texas and earned his BS and MS in Agricultural Communications and Education. Jim spent many years with AQHA and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association

Jason Khalaf retired from the Army after a military career that started in the Navy. Jason’s goal when he started his military career was to serve America. Jason and his wife were drawn to Basecamp for Veterans and that initial involvement placed Jason in the role of being served by the Basecamp Team to assist in his post-retirement world.

Basecamps contribution helped to repair their communication which ultimately saved their marriage. Jason and his wife Gerri Ann took so much away from their experience that they became Basecamp Mentors.

Since this is Memorial Day Weekend we felt it was important to interview a Veteran Who is Serving other Veterans. Basecamp in funded by donations. Please visit bcampinc.com if you are so inclined and give what feels right.

CEO & Founder, Mary Hartman, was a horse owner who was frustrated because her horse was constantly getting sick and none of the common solutions were working. Mary’s mission became finding a solution that used food and not medications. This quest is how StableFeed was born.

Mary says “There is no species of animal to which we owe more than equids. I have a profound love and respect for these animals and believe that every aspect of their care should reflect the gratitude these animals so richly deserve.”

StableFeed is an innovative horse feed and supplement company that uses science to harness the power of nutraceutical foods to promote and maintain systemic health in today's equine athletes.

Allan Hamilton started as a janitor and eventually went on to graduate from Harvard Medical School and complete his neurosurgical residency training at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Dr. Hamilton currently holds four Professorships at the University of Arizona. He is a tenured professor of neurosurgery, as well as professorships in radiation oncology, psychology, and electrical and computer engineering. In 2019, Dr. Hamilton was inducted as Regents’ Professor of Surgery.

Dr. Hamilton has held positions as both the Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of Arizona and is also a decorated Army officer who served in Operation Desert Storm. An author of more than twenty medical textbook chapters, nearly one hundred peer-review research articles, and has served on the editorial board of several medical journals and for the last several years he has served as Senior Medical Script Consultant for the television series, Grey’s Anatomy, and four seasons of Private Practice. He continues to consult in Hollywood and most recently worked as a consultant for Peter Berg’s movie, Patriot’s Day.

In this weeks Cowboy-Up Podcast Dr, Hamilton explains how the practice of neurosurgery, patients with terminal diseases, Artificial Intelligence and horses align.

Long time author Rico Lamoureux moved from the Philippines to South Dakota after the pandemic eased and promptly fell in love with the story of Deadwood. He chose South Dakota due to no lockdowns and the rich western history. Rico is a long time crime novel author and the historical characters of Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Sheriff Bullock and bad guy Al Swearengen seemed like a natural to Rico. T

His is where the inspiration for Deadwood Bound started. In much the same vane as stories about Tombstone, Arizona and Dodge City, Deadwood Bound has everything a reader could ask for along with an additional helping of intrigue.

Sit back and enjoy Rico's perspective on Deadwood as he prepares for his visit to Deadwood and Deadwood reads on this edition of the Cowboy Up Podcast.

Dan Schneider is a former First Team All American baseball player and after his college time at University of Arizona he went on to play professionally for the Braves and the Astros.

After his departure from baseball he needed to take care of his growing family and landed in the casualty insurance business. As luck would have it he started a relationship with the True family and White Stallion Ranch.

In 1998 Dan attended the inaugural Dude Ranch Convention and in 2004 he started the Dude Ranch Horse Safety Program. This has lead to a 35% decrease in injuries and helped dude ranches nationwide.

Enjoy the banter between long time personal and business friends in this episode of the Cowboy Up Podcast.