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Written by Gabriel Flores (Government Relations Intern) First established in 1992, Arizona Grown® was created to promote and support the state’s agricultural community by helping consumers identify locally produced goods. Over time, however, the program became less visible, and its impact diminished. Now, after nearly a decade of dormancy, the Arizona Department of Agriculture is working to bring Arizona Grown back, this time with a renewed purpose and a modern approach. The

Written by Gabriel Flores, Government Relations Intern Farming doesn’t just depend on weather; it depends on inputs. And right now, one of the most important inputs, fertilizer, is becoming more expensive due to global pressures. While fertilizer may not always be visible to consumers, it plays a critical role in agricultural production. It supports crop growth, improves soil productivity, and helps farmers achieve the yields needed to sustain their operations. Without it, ma

Written by Gabriel Flores, Government Relations Intern When most people think about agriculture, they usually think about food, crops in the field, cattle on ranches, and products on grocery store shelves. While food production is at the heart of agriculture, its impact goes far beyond what ends up on our plates. Agriculture is a powerful economic engine that supports millions of jobs, drives industries, and plays a critical role in the stability of the U.S. economy. From per

Written by Gabriel Flores, Government Relations Intern What SRP is, and Why You Should Care The company that keeps the water running and the lights on in the Valley is not your average utility company. It all started with farmers combining their resources to create irrigation systems. Today, it still delivers both water and electricity across much of the valley. The Salt River Project was created as two separate entities: the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association (a priv

Written by Gabriel Flores (Government Relations Intern) Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the Rooted in Resilience Young Farmers & Ranchers Leadership Conference in Portland, Oregon, hosted by the American Farm Bureau. The duration of this conference lasted 4 days, with more than 800 young agricultural leaders from across the country coming to learn, connect, and grow together. A testament and insight to the next generation of agricultural advocates, industr

Written by Gabriel Flores (Government Relations Intern) The central foundation of farmers and ranchers extends well beyond equipment, products, and income; it's their land, something seen more as "just" property. Arizona law allows land actively used for farming or ranching to receive an agricultural classification, recognizing the economic realities of agriculture and ensuring land is taxed correctly rather than taxed on potential development value. This week's topic will be

Written by Gabriel Flores (Government Relations Intern) Farmers and ranchers do not work on a one-year schedule. Equipment acquisition, improved conservation practices, herd management, and land transition processes require commitment over extended periods. American agriculture has operated since 2018 under temporary farm bill extensions, but something more permanent could be in the works... The new bill, H.R. 7567, Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, was introdu

Learn all about running a diversified farm operation in Arizona with East Side Director Harold Payne. Showcasing the pecan, citrus, and alfalfa operation at Ft McDowell farm where he has leaned on his involvement in Farm Bureau & the Western Pecan Growers Association to ensure the success of the operation.

This week's ag report shares updates from federal and state happenings as well as a specialty crop grant!

Written by Gabriel Flores, Government Relations Intern Before the Cities Lit Up Before Phoenix had skyscrapers and subdivisions, it had fields. Agriculture was the economic backbone of early Arizona. Cotton, citrus, alfalfa, and cattle defined the Valley long before urban expansion. But farming in the desert required more than determination. It required irrigation. And irrigation required power . Arizona’s electrical system did not develop only to serve growing cities. It exp

Written by Gabriel Flores (Government Relations Intern) Arizona's constant growth poses new questions, threats, and even opportunities at the intersection between agriculture and urban development. On the legislative side, there is increased attention to biosolids , a byproduct of wastewater treatment, which, if managed correctly, can aid soil health. A recent influx of bills in the Arizona legislature is focusing on how biosolids can be implemented under the following criter

Written by Gabriel Flores (Goverment Relations Intern) Arizona agriculture doesn’t stop at the fence line. Introduced in January 2026, No Tax on Troughs ( House Bill 2152) aims to remove the state transaction privilege tax (TPT) on essential ranching infrastructure. While the bill may sound technical, its impacts extend well beyond agriculture, reaching Arizona’s food system, public lands, and outdoor spaces. We see it here in Arizona that ranching commonly occurs on public

Arizona recently passed the “Ag-to-Urban” bill (SB 1611), a bipartisan effort that’s getting a lot of attention—and some criticism. As the new government relations intern, it's apparent that this bill has been front lining news and needs some explaining. What does this bill really mean? Why is it important to farmers? And how is it going to address both water conservation and Arizona’s housing shortage? At first glance, it seems controversial. Some stances warn that it allows

Updates from the first week of legislative session and Brooke Rollins' appointment of the state FSA committee shows some familiar faces. All that and more on this week's Ag Report update!

What does legacy look like in 2026 agriculture? Explore what the future of agriculture looks like with Coach Kiah where she teaches how to find strength in your roots while how not to get stuck.

Tune in for this week's ag report!

This week's conversation shares a story of adaptability and resiliency within Arizona agriculture. Ross Rayner shares the history of A Tumbling T Ranch and what the future holds for their innovative operation.

Thanksgiving, a tradition rooted in the sharing of food. The pilgrims and the Wampanoag people found peace, collaboration, and a time of thankfulness over a feast of food. They understood the troubles and tribulations that were overcome in order to get to this time. The food prepared was not found easily and it signified a time of unity among one another. All characteristics we continue to associate with Thanksgiving today. As thankful as we may be for the food provided,

Dip inside the restaurant world with Chef Kevin Barko from The Heritage @ Old Town in Buckeye. Discover how it really works for restaurants sourcing locally and hear Chef Kevin's favorite tips and tricks for preparing your holiday meal!

When many folks think of Maricopa County their mind goes to Phoenix. Phoenix plays a massive role in Maricopa County as it is a beast of its own, but there is so much more to the county. To give a better idea of the scale of Maricopa County here are a few fun facts: 1.) Maricopa County is larger than 4 U.S. states 2.) Stretches 132 miles from west to east (It is 111 miles from Tucson to Phoenix) 3.) Is a leader in agricultural production in the state of Arizona Maricopa's