By Jamie Martin
Arizona’s interest in small-scale agriculture has grown, especially since the COVID pandemic highlighted food security concerns. Many new growers use backyard plots, urban gardens, or small community farms to supply local needs.
The Center for Urban Smart Agriculture has launched a pest management workshop series. Using a train-the-trainer approach, the program builds pest management skills among community members, creating a network of knowledgeable growers across the state.
This program, funded by an 18-month grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, provides quarterly workshops. The workshops target pests that specifically affect Arizona’s desert farms, with both farmers and university experts learning side by side.
Local small farmers are finding markets with restaurants, supermarkets, food banks, and farmers' markets. Many work together through shared storage or crop agreements, helping maximize profits and ensure community access to fresh food.
Because Arizona’s climate is different from other regions, traditional pest management research doesn’t always work here. That’s why the program focuses on building local knowledge that fits the Southwest’s hot, dry conditions.
The workshops aim to show that even a quarter-acre farm can earn $100,000 per year with smart practices. This idea encourages more people to see small-scale urban farming as a real business opportunity.
By learning together, farmers and experts are working toward a shared goal—building a stronger, more connected urban agriculture system in Arizona that supports both the economy and local food production.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-peopleimages
Categories: National