The recently released 2022 Census of Agriculture reflects what many farmers and food system advocates have been voicing for decades: increasing consolidation and concentration within the U.S. food system, squeezing small and mid-sized farms out of business.  Every five years, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishes a Census of Agriculture that shares data related to the farms and ranches in the United States and the people who operate them. Since 1840, the USDA has conducted surveys on US farms, defined as an operation that produced and sold $1,000 or more of agricul ..read more

When John Benedict moved to the rural town of McNeal, Arizona, six years ago, he immediately noticed the abundance of agricultural land surrounding him – and how none of the food being grown was found in any local grocery store. Then again, there weren’t any local grocery stores, either.   “I drive around and see all this agriculture, but none of it is available to the local residents,” says Benedict.  Originally from New Jersey, Benedict moved to the Arizona town of 200 people seeking freedom, land, and space; he had no intention of becoming a farmer. However, after working wi ..read more

Arizona, known for its scorching deserts and blazing temperatures, might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of cold storage facilities. However, the state's demand for large-scale refrigerated storage solutions has steadily risen. From preserving fresh produce to supporting the growing food distribution network, extensive cold storage facilities are indispensable in the transition to a more localized food supply chain across Arizona. One company, Cold Summit Development, is now operating a 348,000-square-foot facility in Glendale and changing how our supply chain functio ..read more

As you exit the freeway into the town of Gilbert, Arizona and turn east on Ray Road, the landscape changes from strip malls with big-box stores into one of America’s largest, and arguably first, agrihood – Agritopia. The Johnston farming family’s vision behind Agritopia was to show what a good village, centered on agriculture, looks like. The agrihood design attempts to solve several problems common in current development neighborhoods, from the lack of distinct character to the removal of communal livability, and the elimination of Arizona's agricultural heritage. The Johnston farming f ..read more

The "Know Your Farmer" series, is a heartfelt journey of the lives and livelihoods of the devoted farmers and ranchers who create and shape Arizona's agricultural scene. In the Know Your Farmer series, our mission is to share their stories—full of victories, difficulties, and vital life lessons—giving common folk an insider's view into farming in our state and, more importantly, the farmers themselves. Additionally, this series acts as a resource for other growers to come to for support and for those looking to educate themselves on their local food system. How They Began In the heart of Tucso ..read more

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many grocery shelves sat empty, and millions of people did not have enough food to eat, relying on food assistance programs. Livestock animals could also not be processed due to bottlenecks at highly consolidated processing plants, and many farmers had to dump milk out in their fields or euthanize animals.  A report, commissioned by the Family Farm Action Alliance, estimated that pandemic-induced closures of meat processing plants operated by Smithfield, JBS, and Tyson caused farmers to destroy nearly 29,000 tons of edible pork and millions of pounds of chic ..read more

In its most simple terms, Agroforestry means farming with trees. It is the intentional combining of agriculture with trees to create sustainable, beneficial farming and ranching systems. In agroforestry systems, trees and their products (nuts, fruits, medicinals, timber, fiber) are used to create diversified income streams for the producers and provide other environmental benefits. Well-designed agroforestry means putting the right tree, in the right place, for the right purpose, at the right time.  Indigenous Agroforestry, or tribal agroforestry, has been practiced by tribal and Indigeno ..read more

Allow us to introduce you to our ‘Know Your Farmer’ series where we share the stories of farmers and ranchers across the state - their experiences, wins, struggles and insight into the world of farming.  We hope this series helps spread awareness of Arizona agriculture, elevate the voices of growers, and connect the food community with helpful resources.  This week we introduce you to Emily Heller of Bene Vivendo.  ” I grow my crops in multiple locations in the Phoenix metro area. Starting as a Master Gardener, I created Bene Vivendo in 2018 after completing the Beginning Farm ..read more

As the new year begins, many opportunities and developments will be coming to Arizona’s food and farming landscape. With historic funding being invested from the federal government to build, improve, and expand local and regional food systems, new initiatives, projects, and funding streams will be rolling out in 2024. Additionally, several important pieces of legislation that affect the food system - including the next U.S. Farm Bill - will be moving forward this year. Photo Credit: The Southwest Regional Food Business Center Southwest Regional Food Business Center The Southwest Regional Foo ..read more

Institutional food procurement, or sourcing the food for institutional market channels like schools, holds more power to benefit farmers than any other local food market. Another institutional market channel that can radically change the way local food can be integrated into the healthcare system, is hospitals. Bringing local, fresh food into hospitals can support local farmers while also providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a “food as medicine” approach to addressing chronic diseases and prescription for a healthy lifestyle. Desert Mission Food Bank HonorHealth Desert M ..read more