Arid Arizona is Actually Quite Fruitful

Phoenix AZ

27 October, 2021

11:33 AM

Description

Although Arizona is known for its "5 Cs," the state can produce much more than just cotton and citrus in terms of agriculture. Arizona has a $12.4 billion agricultural industry with more than 15,400 farms and ranches spread across the state according to the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Despite receiving less than 45 inches of rain per year, agriculture continues to thrive. Aridius Vineyard, Schnepf Farms, Arizona Worm Farm and Date Creek Ranch accumulate close to one million visitors each year. Combined, these agricultural facilities cover more than 38,300 acres and produce hundreds of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. They also care for more than 300 heads of livestock. While some may not see vineyards as a part of agriculture, viticulture is just as valued. Aridus Wine, located at 145 N. Railview Ave., Willcox, AZ, is a company that operates across 40 acres in Arizona, 28 of which are dedicated to grape growing. "Our state's motto has five Cs----Climate, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus and Copper. Why not add a 6th? Cabernet?" says Proprietor Scott Dahmer on the Aridus website. Split by the Turkey Creek River, Aridus uniquely has planted red varieties on the south side and white varieties on the north. "My passion encompasses the whole of the craft of winemaking – the cycles of the seasons, ushering a grape from vine to bottle and those magic moments around a dinner table," said winemaker Lisa Strid in an interview conducted by Aridus Wine. Schnepf Farms, located at 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek, AZ, is visited by more than a quarter of a million people per year, and is one of the most prominent "typical farms" in Arizona agriculture. First established in 1941, Ray and Nora Schnepf bought 640 acres for $25 an acre. The Schnepf's began producing cotton, and in the 1960s planted their first peach orchard. Now peaches are its biggest seller with about 5,000 peach trees planted and each tree producing about 150 pounds of fruit. Schnepf Farms coined the term "agri-tainment," meaning that they entertain the locals rather than bring in tourists which is typically associated with agri-tourism. Now operating on about 200 acres, the farm hosts several annual events including a pumpkin and chili party, a winter wonderland Christmas, Fourth of July celebrations, peach festivals and much more. It also hosts concerts, school field trips and weddings. In 2022 Schnepf is expecting to host close to 200 weddings. Although the farm has branched out from where it originally started, it still sticks close to its roots: peaches. Schnepf Farms produces six different types of peaches, and with the "U-pick" method it encourages everyone to sample at least one peach while in the orchard. "When the juice runs down their arm, you know, that sells," says Mark Schnepf, current owner of Schnepf Farms. The Arizona Worm Farm is significantly smaller than Schnepf Farms, but it has just as big an impact on the community. Located at 8430 S. 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ, it first opened its doors in 2017, the Arizona Worm Farm spreads across 10 acres. Similarly to Schnepf Farms, the Arizona Worm Farm has a U-pick garden, but it is most well-known for its large red wiggler worm breeding program and compost mix it sells. Using local landscape waste from the Valley, food waste from Taylor Farms and horse manure from a local stable, more than 80 hours a week are dedicated directly to compost production. "In 2020 alone we were able to divert 16,000 cubic yards of waste from local landfills," says Lisa Jennings, director of operations on the farm. Thriving on sustainable practices and the zero-waste model, the farm acknowledges, "The road to being fully sustainable is paved with a lot of learning curves." Encouraging others to, "Keep trying and be consistent." Even though the Arizona Worm Farm offers classes rather than events, and sells more soil mixes than actual produce, Jennings says that agriculture is not a package deal. "Most [bigger farms] have a great message that they're sharing to the communities that they're in," no matter how they share, she says. Date Creek Ranch (DCR) operates on 38,000 acres at Date Creek Road, Wickenburg, AZ, and it has about 400 animals roaming. DCR finds most of its business with "humanely sourced meats," selling grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chickens, pastured pork and grass-fed lamb. To maintain both the land and the animals, DCR uses a method called rotational grazing. This helps the land stay healthy while also being sustainable for carbon emissions. "Each time our cattle graze, that plant is forced to grow again; which means photosynthesizing. This act pulls carbon out of the air and stores it in the roots of the plant. As long as that plant continues to be nibbled down, grows back and repeats, that carbon remains in the soil," says Savannah Figueroa, cattle and beef business manager. Rotational grazing is not the only sustainable practice it has implemented either. The ranch runs completely on solar power and is making the transition from sustainable to regenerative. Figueroa said the goal is to, "Create a better desert than we received back in '66." Although these farms are flourishing now, that wasn't always the case. Arizona has harsh weather conditions and has been in a drought since the 1990s. Pairing the ongoing drought with fire seasons and monsoons, Arizona is arguably one of the hardest places to successfully farm in the U.S.. Aridus Wine has found difficulties from being so far from the center of grape growing. Getting new or replacement equipment is costly and timely. The fire season also has a major impact on the grapes. "What you typically see with vineyards in a fire event is that … the compounds released in the smoke can adhere to the grape skins and cause what is called smoke taint," says Strid. It may not be present until after the wine has been bottled, which is also an issue since it can be sold to consumers and not present the smoke flavor until five months later. Schnepf Farms has been fortunate enough to not be affected by the fire season. However, it has had to adjust. Whether it's slow seasons, new technology or the worldwide pandemic, Schnepf Farms has found ways to make it through. "It's either you adapt or you die," says Schnepf. Arizona Worm Farm is still learning from challenges such as the monsoon season. While its owners are thrilled for the rain, the worms are less excited. When there is a change in barometric pressure, worms want to escape. "We've learned that we have to keep a [flood light style] spotlight on them," says Jennings. Like most lessons, the farm has learned the hard way. "There were thousands of worms all over the farm." DCR has suffered the most in the last year. Although not affected by wildfires, nearby fires have driven out other predators. "This year we lost quite a few calves to [mountain] lions, which really hurts," says Figueroa. Despite Arizona having a decent monsoon season this year, the monsoons skipped right over the ranch. The drought has led to local wildlife claiming most of the ranch's peach trees. DCR owners say they don't mind though, they like sharing the land with local wildlife. DCR also had to say goodbye to 90% of its apple orchards as the trees are no longer producing fruit. In spite of the hardships, DCR has not given up saying it loves the land, wildlife and most of all its cattle. Figueroa says there is one key to keep these farms, ranches and vineyards alive and running, "We must put our money where our mouth is and support the mom-and-pop operations."