Agave Heritage Festival: Spirit of the Sierras – Bacanora Without Borders Roundtable

  Bacanora is born in the Sonoran sierras — and its future is increasingly binational. This session begins with a focused panel born out of our community-led Field Notes series featuring producers, exporters, distributors, and industry leaders examining how bacanora moves from rural production to U.S. markets. The conversation will address trade pathways, regulatory frameworks, distribution challenges, and the economic realities of expanding a regional spirit across borders. Moderated by Laura Espinoza (Asociación de Mujeres del Bacanora y Maguey de México) Jorge Arreola (Bacanora Cola Blanca) Marcela Herrera Flores (GNO destilados S.A. de C. V.) J. Benjamin Soto Beltrán (B8 El General Bacanora) The panel transitions into a facilitated roundtable by Laura Espinoza, inviting the public into direct dialogue around building stronger U.S.–Mexico partnerships. Together, we will explore how growth can remain rooted in place, support Sonoran producers, and strengthen cross-border economic connection. Conducted in Spanish and English, this session is designed for meaningful binational exchange and practical next steps.   Part of the Agave Heritage Festival To celebrate and sustain the cultural, ecological, and economic significance of agave through binational collaboration, storytelling, and community-rooted experiences. We bring together voices from the Sonoran Desert and beyond to honor agave’s legacy and ignite collective action for a more resilient future.