Local Produce With A Purpose

A Smarter Harvest Is Taking Root in AZ

Arizona’s agricultural community is learning to do more with less. With a 20% reduction in Colorado River water availability, the state’s farmers are implementing smart growing and irrigation practices that could serve as a climate-responsive playbook for changing environments worldwide.

Join the Movement Today, For Tomorrow

Help shape Arizona’s agriculture industry by choosing sustainable, water-smart produce. Your support aids local farmers as they grow low-water, desert-adapted crops and contribute to a healthier environment. Here’s how you make a difference:

Foster Arizona’s evolving agriculture industry
Support farmers who use smart practices to grow low-water, desert-adapted crops
Choose fresh, locally-grown, nutrient-dense produce
Minimize the heat-island effect by prioritizing agricultural land
Advance global standards for climate-smart farming

Armenian cucumber flowers at Machokoto Farm

Good For The Environment. Good For You.

The Desert Can Be Delicious

Desert-adapted crops are anything but dry. They’re robust in flavor and nutrition — and offer a smaller carbon footprint by needing less water. Explore Arizona’s hardy, climate-smart crops:

Prickly Pear: High in fiber and Vitamin C, low in sodium and saturated fat.
Cowpea: Rich in protein, fiber, and potassium, and drought-tolerant. More bean than pea, cowpeas include black-eyed peas, yardlong beans and more.
Agave: A sweetener rich in Vitamin B and antioxidants.
Tepary Beans: High-fiber and low glycemic index, teparies pack an impressive 21 g of protein in 1/2 cup.

Climate-Smart Programs We’re Participating In

Arizona Climate-Smart Practices Program

Incentivizes conservation practices: cover crops, crop rotation, mulching, low/no tillage, grazing, and nutrient management
5-year grant cycle with $16,000/year incentives for up to 3 years
Resources include biocontrols, biostimulants, and biofertilizers
Open to early adopters and new practitioners alike
Led by Arizona Association of Conservation Districts with partners including ASU, NAU, Soil Health Institute, Local First Arizona, and more
Read more here…
Arizona Alliance for Climate-Smart Crops
Incentivizes climate-smart crops like agave, prickly pear, tepary beans, and promotes conservation practices
3-year grant cycle with $11,000/year incentives for up to 3 years
Helps farmers trial practices like alley cropping, conservation cover, and reduced/no-till
Partners include the University of Arizona, Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Local First Arizona, and others

Read more here…

Be Part of a Climate-Smart Future

By choosing local, desert-adapted produce, you help create a thriving, sustainable food system in Arizona. Explore our programs, and support a movement rooted in resilient, low-water agriculture.