Arizona Boosts Pest Training for Small Scale Urban Agriculture

Workshops Support Growers with Pest Management Skills and Research

Arizona’s small-scale agriculture is growing, especially after many people turned to food growing during the COVID pandemic. Many of these farmers work on small plots in urban areas, suburban yards, or community farms.

The Center for Urban Smart Agriculture has launched a pest management workshop series. The program uses a train-the-trainer model, helping spread pest knowledge within communities. The workshops aim to equip farmers with skills to manage pests that affect crops in Arizona’s unique climate.

Funded by an 18-month grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, the workshops are held quarterly and focus on pests common to Arizona’s desert environment. The goal is not only to train farmers but also to help experts and growers learn together, as both face similar challenges in this growing sector.

Many small-scale farmers supply local markets like restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, food banks, and farmers' markets. Some even produce value-added goods or work together to share storage and divide crop production for better profits.

Arizona’s dry climate poses special challenges not seen in other regions. Research from cooler or humid areas doesn’t always apply here. This makes the workshop program essential in building knowledge specific to desert farming.

One exciting goal is to prove that even a quarter-acre of land can produce $100,000 annually if used wisely. This goal showcases the potential of urban agriculture to contribute to local economies and food systems.

Through shared learning and research, Arizona’s farmers and agricultural experts hope to build a stronger, more profitable urban farming community that can thrive in the Southwest’s unique conditions.